Episode Details

In 2025, manual transmissions accounted for less than one percent of new car sales in the US — down from 25 percent in 1980. BMW dropped the manual from its M3 and M4 for 2026. Mercedes hasn't made one since 2024. This isn't about young drivers not knowing how to shift; it's structural: electrification, emissions regulations, and driver assistance systems are making manuals technically impractical to offer. In this episode, we trace how fast the door is closing, why the enthusiast bubble doesn't match market reality, and what the actual playbook looks like for someone who wants to keep driving a stick as long as possible.