Chevrolet in promoting their Sonic is having a contest where you can win some decent prizes by submitting a video of yourself learning to drive a stick shift. Link below:
http://www.wired.com/geekmom/2012/06/ch ... challenge/
Stick Shift Competition
Stick Shift Competition
Bill Berckman
West Chester, Ohio
2007 Honda Element EX AWD 5 Speed MT
West Chester, Ohio
2007 Honda Element EX AWD 5 Speed MT
- theholycow
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
That article links to this article about increasing popularity of manual transmissions:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... 8_LTeLC5e5
More interesting bits:
Finally, they had this list of take rates:
http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... 8_LTeLC5e5
I disagree with their thoughts on fuel economy and performance, but it's still an interesting article.But the first quarter this year manuals were in 6.5% of new vehicles sold, and that's getting close to double each of the past five years. It's also highest since 7.2% in 2006, according to Edmunds.com.
That high "take rate," as the industry calls it, is even more impressive because just 19% of the 2,360 different models on sale offer manuals, Edmunds.com reports. Five years ago, 29% of the 2,391 available styles did — yet only 2.9% were sold with stick shifts that year, the lowest "take rate" in a decade.
More interesting bits:
And this:demand for manuals in the redesigned Focus compact is running close to 10%. "We were planning around 4%, 4.5%," says Paul Russell, Focus marketing manager.
In March, Ford even began offering a stick in the high-end Titanium versions of Focus, after having forecast that those higher-income Titanium buyers wanted only automatics.
Dodge marketing manager Richard Cox predicts as many as 20% of new Dart compact sedans will be sold with manuals — split between those who are price-conscious and those who believe a manual is the best way to enjoy the European underpinnings of the Dart. It's based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.
Is it really just lack of exposure? Do we just need to find a way to get people behind the clutch pedal and suddenly there will be a popularity boom for row-your-own?Ford says that one of every four Focus buyers comes from a household with $100,000-plus annual income. The automaker notes that those are people most likely to have traveled overseas, where manuals are much more common, thus to have rented stick-shift cars and liked them enough to want the same in their driveways.
Finally, they had this list of take rates:
2012 - 6.5%
2011 - 3.8%
2010 - 3.9%
2009 - 4.4%
2008 - 3.7%
2007 - 2.9%
2006 - 7.2%
2005 - 6.7%
2004 - 5.5%
2004 - 5.5%
2003 - 8.2%
2002 - 8.5%
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT
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watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD
Re: Stick Shift Competition
That logic seems flawed on Ford's part. I honestly cannot believe it is just exposure that is causing people to buy them. If that was the case, people watching Fast and Furious movies would want to drive manuals. Does exposure help? Sure. But I can't believe that everyone who makes more than $100k travels overseas and consequently buys a manual.theholycow wrote:More interesting bits:And this:demand for manuals in the redesigned Focus compact is running close to 10%. "We were planning around 4%, 4.5%," says Paul Russell, Focus marketing manager.
In March, Ford even began offering a stick in the high-end Titanium versions of Focus, after having forecast that those higher-income Titanium buyers wanted only automatics.
Dodge marketing manager Richard Cox predicts as many as 20% of new Dart compact sedans will be sold with manuals — split between those who are price-conscious and those who believe a manual is the best way to enjoy the European underpinnings of the Dart. It's based on the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.Is it really just lack of exposure? Do we just need to find a way to get people behind the clutch pedal and suddenly there will be a popularity boom for row-your-own?Ford says that one of every four Focus buyers comes from a household with $100,000-plus annual income. The automaker notes that those are people most likely to have traveled overseas, where manuals are much more common, thus to have rented stick-shift cars and liked them enough to want the same in their driveways.
Also, anyone know anything about the new Dart? I haven't seen that much about it.
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'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
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'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
Dart - five trim levels, SE, SXT, RallyE, Limited, and R/T.
The naturally aspirated Tigershark 2.0 producing 160 HP is standard on SE and SXT.
The turbocharged 1.4 MultiAir also producing 160 HP but gobs more torque is optional on SXT and standard on RallyE and Limited.
The R/T comes with their naturally aspirated Tigershark 2.4 MultiAir producing 184 HP.
All trims but the Limited come with 6 speed manuals.
The naturally aspirated Tigershark 2.0 producing 160 HP is standard on SE and SXT.
The turbocharged 1.4 MultiAir also producing 160 HP but gobs more torque is optional on SXT and standard on RallyE and Limited.
The R/T comes with their naturally aspirated Tigershark 2.4 MultiAir producing 184 HP.
All trims but the Limited come with 6 speed manuals.
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/2012 ... -sales-now
MANUALS MAKE COMEBACK
Hooray! Auto enthusiasts are finally stemming the tide of the automatic transmission. In North America the manual gearbox is clawing its way back from oblivion. According to Edmunds.com vehicles equipped with shift-it-yourself trannies have accounted for 7 percent of sales so far this year. That compares to just 3.9 percent for ALL of 2011.
MANUALS MAKE COMEBACK
Hooray! Auto enthusiasts are finally stemming the tide of the automatic transmission. In North America the manual gearbox is clawing its way back from oblivion. According to Edmunds.com vehicles equipped with shift-it-yourself trannies have accounted for 7 percent of sales so far this year. That compares to just 3.9 percent for ALL of 2011.
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
http://wardsauto.com/vehicles-amp-techn ... ing-market
LADA TO OFFER 1ST AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
In related and somewhat unbelievable news, Russian automaker Lada will offer its first vehicle ever equipped with an automatic transmission. WardsAuto reports the Granta low-cost sedan will go on sale in the country later this year. It gets a four-speed auto from JATCO. Interestingly, Lada has only been building cars since 1970. Today it’s owned by Renault-Nissan, and together these three brands control about 40 percent of the Russian market!
LADA TO OFFER 1ST AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
In related and somewhat unbelievable news, Russian automaker Lada will offer its first vehicle ever equipped with an automatic transmission. WardsAuto reports the Granta low-cost sedan will go on sale in the country later this year. It gets a four-speed auto from JATCO. Interestingly, Lada has only been building cars since 1970. Today it’s owned by Renault-Nissan, and together these three brands control about 40 percent of the Russian market!
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
Hurray! The Amish have jumped the shark!
'08 Jeep Liberty 6-Speed MT - "Last of the Mohicans"
Re: Stick Shift Competition
Yay! Pictures I don't understand! RP is back.Rope-Pusher wrote:
Hurray! The Amish have jumped the shark!
'15 Mazda 3 iSport Hatch 6MT
'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi
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'11 Ford Fiesta Hatchback SE 5MT
'14 Giant Escape City 24MT
'97 Honda Civic EX 4AT - Retired @ 184,001 mi
For Pony!
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
I lol'd
- theholycow
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Re: Stick Shift Competition
Word!Squint wrote:Yay! Pictures I don't understand! RP is back.
1980 Buick LeSabre 4.1L 5MT
Put your car in your sig!
Learn to launch/FAQs/lugging/misused terms: meta-sig
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watkins wrote:Humans have rear-biased AWD. Cows have 4WD