Latest news with #manualtransmission
Car and Driver
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Car and Driver
Report: Nissan Stops Production of the Manual-Transmission Versa
Nissan has halted production of the manual-transmission Versa, according to a report from Automotive News. The Versa five-speed is the most affordable car on sale in the U.S. for the 2025 model year, starting at just $18,330. Fewer than 5 percent of Versas sold last year had the manual gearbox, and the 25 percent tariff on the Mexico-made sedan seems to have been the final nail in the coffin. UPDATE 5/29/25, 1:27 p.m.: Nissan confirmed that production of the manual-transmission Versa S has ended, and that production continues for the rest of the Versa lineup. In a statement, Nissan said, "We are focusing on the most popular Versa grades that deliver the strongest business performance and are in line with what customers are looking for from this type of sedan." Manual transmissions are increasingly rare in new cars, having mostly found refuge in high-performance sports cars such as the Porsche 911 or Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing. Just a handful of affordable, mainstream models still let you row your own gears, and the five-speed-equipped Nissan Versa also held the special distinction of being the most affordable new car on the market. But now it appears that the manual-transmission Versa's time has come to an end, with Automotive News reporting that production of the Versa five-speed has stopped. The publication stated that a "person with knowledge of the matter" revealed that Nissan's factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico, is no longer assembling the manual-transmission Versa, although the CVT-equipped model continues in production. According to Automotive News, Nissan says the company is focusing on the "most popular" trims that have the "strongest business performance." We've reached out to Nissan for confirmation and will update this story when we've heard back. Nissan The reasons for killing off the Versa five-speed are likely twofold. For starters, very few people were opting for the Versa's DIY gearbox. Automotive News states that fewer than 5 percent of the 42,589 Versas sold last year had the five-speed transmission. That means only around 2000 Versas sold last year had the manual gearbox, already making it hard to justify keeping it around. But this tough business case for such a niche product was compounded by the 25 percent tariff on imported cars implemented by the Trump administration, which affects the Versa given its Mexican provenance. The manual-transmission Versa is the lowest-priced new car on the market for the 2025 model year, starting at $18,330, so a 25 percent tariff adds around $4500 to that price. While automakers might be able to absorb tariff costs on higher-priced vehicles while still returning a profit, the typically thin profit margins on affordable cars make such an increase far more damaging. Nissan previously projected that the tariffs could cost the automaker around $3.1 billion during the fiscal year that concludes next March. Nissan Removing the manual transmission will minimally affect sales while also simplifying the number of variants the Aguascalientes factory needs to produce, making the production process more efficient. While it's a shame to see another manual bite the dust, it's an understandable decision from Nissan, especially given the brand's recent financial troubles. With the manual transmission departing, the Versa will remain the most affordable car on the market, but its base price will likely rise to $20,130. But the Versa itself is not long for this world, expected to be discontinued within the next year as Nissan pares its sedan lineup from three models down to one. A next-generation Sentra is expected to grow in size to serve as a replacement for both the current Sentra and Altima, while the potential Versa customers will instead be directed to the $23,220 Kicks SUV. Caleb Miller Associate News Editor Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
Motor 1
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The Last Five-Speed Manual Is Dead
Manual transmissions aren't as popular as they used to be, and now, buyers will have one fewer option going forward. Nissan has allegedly ended production of the manual-equipped Versa , killing off the cheapest car you can buy in America today, and the last five-speed on the market. An unnamed source 'with knowledge of the matter' revealed to Automotive News that the Japanese automaker has halted making the Versa with the five-speed manual at its Aguascalientes, Mexico, factory. Motor1 reached out to Nissan for a comment about the alleged production stoppage, and a spokesperson confirmed "Versa S manual production will cease, while the rest of the Versa lineup continues as usual." Nissan said in a statement to Motor1 : 'We remain committed to offering a line-up that answers the evolving needs of customers and maintains Nissan's competitive edge. We are focusing on the most popular Versa grades that deliver the strongest business performance and are in line with what customers are looking for from this type of sedan.' Photo by: Nissan Nissan only offered the manual transmission on the entry-level Versa S, which starts at $18,330 (all prices include the $1,140 destination charge) for 2025. However, with that spec apparently dead, the Versa S with a continuously-variable transmission is now the brand's cheapest offering, at $20,130. With new car prices remaining at an all-time high and the threat of tariffs potentially increasing the cost of many new vehicles Nissan's more affordable models have seen an explosion in sales. The Versa was up 156 percent through the first three months of 2025. The Sentra , Altima , and Kicks , which all start at under $30,000, were also all up by wide margins. Photo by: Nissan Despite the Versa's popularity, the manual only accounted for less than five percent of the model's total sales according to Automotive News , and this could be the first sign things are coming to an end for the Versa model. There's speculation that Nissan will completely discontinue the Versa after the 2025 model year , replacing it with an electric sedan, but details are murky. That rumor started when Versa sales were struggling, but the market has changed, with the price of new cars only creeping upward. It seems that consumers do want cheap offerings, but don't want to shift their own gears. While the Versa was the last five-speed manual vehicle on sale in America, there are still plenty of six-speed options still available . Nissan Is Going Through Some Things: Nissan Might Sell Its Home to Survive: Report The Nissan Sentra Might Soon Be an American-Made Sedan Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Automotive News Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Death knell for a century-old driving skill: It is rapidly becoming a dying art that electric cars will kill off entirely
A driving skill the majority of motorists perfected when taking their driving test is rapidly becoming a dying art - and one that will disappear entirely when electric cars become mainstream. The act of changing gear is 'on its way out', with vehicle manufacturers already culling manual gearboxes, according to a market review. It found that just 96 models in showrooms today are available with a manual transmission. In contrast, there are 404 new cars to buy that come exclusively with automatic gearboxes. It means fewer than a fifth of new models now have a traditional gearstick - a feature that dates back to the 1891 Panhard et Levassor, the vehicle widely recognised as the first with a manual transmission. And the skill of changing gear is likely to become obsolete entirely in new models once the sale of new petrol and diesel models is banned in 2030 and car makers can only sell hybrid and electric vehicles in showrooms - both of which use automatic gearboxes. It also appears young drivers are preparing for this transition, with auto-only driving tests on the rise as new motorists ditch changing gear. Almost one in four learners are now choosing to take their test in an automatic car, according to the latest figures published by the DVSA. Of the 1,945,225 practical driving tests sat in the financial year 2023/24, 445,276 did so in automatics. This represents 23.4 per cent of all tests. It was a sharp increase on the year previous when just 19.2 per cent of tests (324,064 of 1,688,955) were auto-only. Five years earlier (2019/20), automatic driving tests accounted for just 12.7 of all practical tests; and wind the clocks back a decade (to 2014/15) and they represented a mere 6.9 per cent of tests. It means auto-only has risen from less than one in fourteen driving tests 10 years ago to one in four today. However, pass rates in automatics - despite the general belief that they are easier to drive - are statistically lower. In the last fiscal year, the pass rate for auto-only tests was just 42.8 per cent; for all driving tests, the average pass rate was 47.9 per cent. The acceleration in popularity is despite auto-only licence holders facing one major restriction. Anyone who passes in a manual car can legally drive any motor irrespective of its gearbox, but those who take auto-only tests are limited to only automatic vehicles. While this could pose problematic in some scenarios, such as when drivers want to rent motors abroad and face higher costs or limiting availability of auto vehicles, the new car market shows a huge drive towards automatics. In fact, the significant rise in auto-only tests mirrors the rapidly diminishing availability of new cars with manual transmissions in recent years. In a similar study of the UK car market conducted by CarGurus, it found that the choice of new models with manual gearboxes had shrunk by 57 per cent compared to 2015. It said, at the rate of decline currently see, the manual gearbox will be 'lost forever' in new motors by 2037. The demise of the gear stick will gather pace more dramatically from 2030, when only hybrid and electric cars can be sold in Britain. Every hybrid and EV available today comes with an automatic transmission, meaning the art of changing gear will be extinct in new cars from the end of the decade. That said, some brands are using 'simulated' gearboxes, which are automatic systems tweaked to feel like a manual to provide an increased level of involvement for the driver. Paul Barker, editor at Auto Express, said the sector is seeing a 'seismic shift in gearbox preference'. 'With EVs now exclusively automatic and more new drivers opting for auto-only licences, automatics are no longer the compromise choice – they're fast becoming the default,' he said. While manuals are far more involving, Barker says that autos are becoming more appealing beyond their convenience. Semi-automatic system's including VW's DSG, Porsche's PDK and BMW's DCT offer 'fast shifts, better fuel economy, and a sportier drive that appeals to both everyday users and enthusiasts,' he said. 'And the latest conventional automatics and CVTs deliver smooth, seamless performance – perfect for urban traffic and long-distance cruising alike. 'In many cases, they now outperform their manual counterparts.' CarGurus' previous market analysis looked only at the existing availability of manual models from the 31 best-selling manufacturers in Britain. It found that just 82 or the 278 models in showrooms came with a gear stick. The analysis revealed that seven brands have already stopped selling new motors with manual transmissions. Land Rover and Mini are now entirely auto only - both of them losing their last manual gearbox option in the last 12 months. Other makers that also don't have manuals includes Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo - as well as EV-only makes, Polestar and Tesla. The number of new models per brand with manual gearboxes Audi: 4 - A1, A3, Q2, Q3 BMW: 3 - 1 Series, 2 Series (Gran Coupe), M2 Citroen: 6 - Berlingo, C3, C3 Aircross, C4, C4 X, C5 Aircross Cupra: 2 - Formentor, Leon Dacia: 5 (all) - Duster, Jogger, Sandero Stepway, Sandero, Bigster Fiat: 2 - 500, 500C Ford: 6 - Focus, Kuga, Mustang, Puma, Ranger, Tourneo Honda: 1 - Civic TYPE R Hyundai: 5 - Bayon, i10, i20, Kona, Tuscon Jaguar*: 0 Jeep: 1 - Avenger (hybrid) Kia: 4 - Ceed, Picanto, Sportage, Xceed Land Rover: 0 Lexus: 0 Mazda: 5 - CX-30, CX-5, Mazda2, Mazda3, MX-5 Mercedes-Benz: 0 MG: 3 - MG3, HS, ZS Mini: 0 Nissan: 2 - Juke, Qashqai Peugeot: 2 - 2008, 208 Polestar: 0 Porsche: 3 - 911, Boxster, Cayman Renault: 2 - Clio, Captur Seat: 4 - Arona, Ibiza, Leon, Ateca Skoda: 5 - Fabia, Kamiq, Karoq, Octavia, Scala Suzuki: 4 - Ignis, S-Cross, Swift, Vitara Tesla: 0 Toyota: 3 - Aygo X, GR Yaris, Hilux Vauxhall: 3 - Astra, Corsa, Mokka Volkswagen: 7 - Golf, Polo, Taigo, T-Cross, T-Roc, Touran, Transporter Volvo: 0 TOTAL: 82 Source: CarGurus *Jaguar current sells no new cars but had no manual gearbox models in 2024 and will be all-electric in 2026, meaning only automatic transmissions Changing gear in a new car will be almost obsolete from the start of the next decade when only hybrid and electric vehicles are allowed to be sold in showrooms. All currently come with auto gearboxes Manual gearbox defunct in new cars from 2030 - can it be saved? From 2030, only conventional hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric cars will be available from new in dealerships in Britain. Currently, not a single model across these three fuel types have a manual gearbox. This is because an electric drivetrain with instant torque simply requires a single gear. However, some brands are dabbling with systems that make an automatic feel more like a manual. Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N hot SUV (costing from £65,000) already has a 'simulated' manual gearbox using paddleshifts behind the wheel. Despite having a single-speed gearbox, the N e-shift system replicates the sensation and engine sound of a combustion engine. It even has a rev counter redlined to 8,000rpm - once you hit this in a gear, it will accelerate no more, as with a conventional manual transmission. Change down the gears and it will simulate the blipping of the throttle. It's a clever feature design to make EVs more engaging, with Toyota also developing its own simulated manual gearbox. This has already been fed into the Japanese manufacturer's luxury brand, Lexus, with a simulated manual gearbox called 'Interactive Manual Drive' available in the new RZ SUV. When the driver uses the fake gear stick and clutch to select first, the system will allow for lots of torque but have a low limited top speed in that gear. In sixth, there will be less torque available but will not have a limit on the electric motor speed That said, the mechanical transmission most licence holders have learned to drive in will soon start to disappear when new cars transition to electric power. Supercars and niche models built in low production volumes - think small sports car like Caterhams and Ariels - have also been given a stay of execution from the ban on new petrol and diesel models at the end of the decade. It means only the super-rich and petrol head enthusiasts will theoretically still be able to buy manual cars after 2030. However, by 2035 these are also likely to be forced to go electric, almost certainly rendering the gear shift extinct.
Motor 1
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
The US Secret Service Can't Drive Stick. GM Is Helping Fix That
We all know that the US President rides around a big Cadillac nicknamed The Beast . You probably also know that it's not really a Cadillac, but an armored behemoth built on a heavy-duty truck chassis. And should you ever see POTUS on parade, you'll definitely see the convoy that goes along for the journey. It's usually a cavalcade of black Chevrolet Suburbans, with perhaps a SWAT vehicle or two thrown in for good measure. Here's the thing: None of those vehicles have manual transmissions, which is fine. But if there was ever an emergency that required a Secret Service agent to drive one, it might be easier said than done. That's why General Motors included two manual-equipped sedans in a fleet of 10 vehicles delivered recently to the US Secret Service training facility in Maryland. 'Not everyone is able to operate a manual shift,' Mark Armstrong, an instructor at the training facility, said in a statement . 'Having that platform here will enable us to give instruction on how to drive manual vehicles for overseas trips.' He makes a good point. While manual-equipped cars are few and far between in the States, they're still widely used in other parts of the world, especially in Europe. The Secret Service usually takes its own vehicles when the President travels abroad, but not all activities involve direct real-time protection. It sure would be awkward for a tough-as-nails agent to climb behind the wheel of a Euro-spec surveillance van and not know what to do with that lever in the middle. If the situation was dire—escaping with the President Hollywood-style in a commandeered vehicle to prevent a global nuclear war for instance—not having the correct training could destroy the world. Hey, it could happen. That's why everyone should learn to drive stick shift. The two manual-equipped sedans aren't mentioned by name, but it's not hard to suss out. Blackwing versions of the Cadillac CT4-V and CT5-V are the only remaining three-pedal cars in GM's garage. Images shared by the US Secret Service show two of each being among the 10 cars delivered. Presumably, one of each has a six-speed manual. Corralling 668 manually shifted horsepower from the CT5-V Blackwing's 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 should be quite a training session. Photo by: US Secret Service The reason for this fleet goes well beyond manual transmission training. Among the fast Caddys are a Chevrolet Suburban , Chevrolet Tahoe , and Cadillac Escalade for full-size SUV familiarity. A beefy Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 is in there, presumably for off-road training. And two Chevrolet Corvettes round out the fleet, though we're at a loss on those. High-performance training could be handled by the Blackwings. But if GM offered us a Corvette Z06 to play with, we wouldn't say no. 'Experience with different types of vehicles can help instructors teach students how to adapt their driving techniques based on the vehicle they are operating,' Scott Simons, special agent in charge at the James J. Rowley Training Center, said in a statement. 'Because each vehicle handles differently in any given situation, exposure to new cars will challenge instructors and give them an opportunity to develop more realistic training scenarios.' Presidential Speed: President Biden Took A Porsche To 171 MPH With Help From Launch Control The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing Still Kicks Ass: Review Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: United States Secret Service via The Drive Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Drive
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
GM Gave the Secret Service Two Cadillac Blackwings So They Can Learn Stick
The genre of 'Oh no, the President has been kidnapped!' movies is sort of dead. But back when it was popular, and Channing Tatum was patriotically kicking ass on screen, there were often chase scenes that required Secret Service agents to commandeer a civilian or police vehicle in a different country. As it turns out, such vehicular action is actually a real possibility, and therefore requires real training, which General Motors is willing to help out with. And, an important part of that training is teaching young agents to drive any kind of automobile—even one with a stick. GM donated a fleet of performance vehicles to the Secret Service's James J. Rowley Training Center (RTC) in Laurel, Maryland, and among them were four Cadillac sport sedans: two CT4s and two CT5s. Of those, a pair had manual transmissions—indicating they're Blackwing models—even though there would almost certainly never be an official Secret Service vehicle with a stick. Nevertheless, agents often travel overseas to protect their VIPs, and manual cars are commonplace outside the States. So, they can't afford to be stopped by three pedals and a stick. 'Not everyone is able to operate a manual shift,' said RTC driving instructor Mark Armstrong. 'Having that platform here will enable us to give instruction on how to drive manual vehicles for overseas trips.' U.S. Secret Service Even sedans can be foreign to many agents. These days, police vehicles tend to be SUVs, since they can carry more people and gear. But in other countries, government sedans are still commonplace, and agents need to be familiar with them. 'Most companies aren't making four-door sedans anymore that are police-capable,' said Constantine Gerukos, another RTC instructor. But GM didn't send only those Caddy sedans; it provided a range of different vehicles, so that agents could broaden the scope of their training and learn about different platforms and how they might be of use in the future. So, the roster includes a Cadillac Escalade, a Chevy Colorado ZR2, a police package Chevy Tahoe, a Chevy Suburban, and two Corvettes (one was an E-Ray). The big SUVs are the likeliest to join the active duty fleet, but that doesn't mean the other vehicles couldn't one day see action outside the training course. 'I think it is cool to try out all these different platforms to figure out what is going to fit, and what we can use,' Gerukos said. 'The times are changing, and so is the rest of the world. So, we have to do the same thing.' U.S. Secret Service Is that really true, or did the Secret Service just want to blow some of its government budget on fun track days? 'Experience with different types of vehicles can help instructors teach students how to adapt their driving techniques based on the vehicle they are operating,' said Scott Simons, the Special Agent in Charge of RTC. 'Because each vehicle handles differently in any given situation, exposure to new cars will challenge instructors and give them an opportunity to develop more realistic training scenarios.' These more unusual vehicles are also sure to surprise students, who are likely counting on Escalades and Yukons to play the suspect vehicles in training scenarios. 'The students wouldn't be expecting it,' instructor Brandon Bohonek said of the sports cars and sedans. 'We won't have these vehicles in view. So, they won't know it is out there. They may be expecting a (police) SUV, and all of a sudden, one of these vehicles rolls up. We try to make it as realistic as possible out here, which is not always easy to do.' At the end of the day, unlikely though it might be to see a Secret Service agent jump into a manual Blackwing to rescue a President's daughter, it's not impossible. Plus, you know this all made for a fun day of training. Got tips? Send 'em to tips@ Nico DeMattia is a staff writer at The Drive. He started writing about cars on his own blog to express his opinions when no one else would publish them back in 2015, and eventually turned it into a full-time career.
