Automatic the new standard

Finding a new manual shift vehicle difficult

Chad Bryan, Gleaner Writer

There was a time when an automatic transmission was the luxury option on a non-commercial motor vehicle, with 'stick shift' the standard - in more ways than one.

However, automakers have moved away from equipping passenger vehicles with manual (or standard) transmissions in favour of an automatic transmission. This is as the fuel efficiency of automatic transmissions, once their weak point, has been improved tremendously, often offering the same - or better - fuel economy than their manual counterparts.

Jamaican consumers seem to have welcomed the change - or have little choice - with new or used car dealerships tending to have very few or no standard-transmission vehicles in stock.

Kia can bring the Picanto, Rio, Cerato, Carens, Sportage and Optima models in with manual transmission, but rarely ever does, while ATL Motors

has no vehicles available in manual transmission. Fidelity Motors brings in only the Nissan Frontier and Navaro pickups with manual transmissions, while Kingston Industrial Garage brings the sporty Subaru WRX and 2012 Ford Ranger pickup with manual transmissions. Stewart's Auto Sales stocks a Mitsubishi pickup in standard only, with the Suzuki Swift available as standard or automatic.

However, in May, Motor Trend magazine reported that more Americans are buying new manua- transmission vehicles. With 6.5 per cent of Americans choosing to go with stick shift, it was the highest percentage of new vehicle sales since 2006.

Ian Lyn of Kia Motors and Car Max Jamaica Limited noted that, "The Kia Picanto, Rio, Cerato, Carens, Sportage and Optima are available in manual transmission, but they are rarely ever requested in that, as Jamaicans tend to prefer more luxurious and comfortable vehicles, more so than vehicles that are fuel-efficient." Lyn said a standard-transmission vehicle on average costs $50,000 less than an equivalent make and model with automatic transmission.

NO VAST PRICE DIFFERENCE

However, Kent LaCroix of Stewart's Auto Sales offered a different view on the price comparison between manual and automatic shift vehicles.

"In some instances, manual transmission is not significantly cheaper. There is not so much of a great disparity," LaCroix said. On fuel efficiency, he noted, "It depends on how you drive the car. If you drive a manual in the same way as an automatic transmission, then you will get the same amount of fuel efficiency."

According to ATL Motors marketing and promotions coordinator, Natasha Chang, "Customers would prefer automatic transmission. I can't even remember ATL bringing in manual transmission. Perhaps 10 years ago they did."

While it has been held that manual transmission is more fuel efficient than automatic, other auto dealers attribute the shift to automatic to Jamaica's roads, terrain and the traffic situation, as well as the desire for luxury and comfort which is afforded by an automatic transmission.

Lynvalle Hamilton, president of the Jamaica Used Car Dealers Association, stated, "It is more harassment for motorists to go for a clutch. People want convenience, which is what automatic transmission is about. It is already a fact that there is a move away from standard-transmission vehicles. In every 200-300 vehicles, only three would come in standard," Hamilton said.

There are a number of vehicles which offer automatic transmissions which simulate standard transmissions, utilising methods such as paddle shifters. Still, there are those who prefer a standard transmission. Garvin Grandison, a newly licenced driver, stated, "I prefer driving a manual transmission as it represents what driving was meant to be. It keeps you more alert and active and reduces the risk of becoming bored or tired on long trips."

auto@gleanerjm.com