Automatics gaining popularity
The popularity of automatic over manual transmission cars has continued to rise throughout recent years.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show an increase of more than 20% over the last 19 years, from 1998.
Rob Donaldson, UK car editor, Glass’s said, ‘There are many reasons for this increase. Over the years the sophistication and quality of automatic gearboxes has increased immeasurably and they are now available across almost all makes and models, so the additional choice has helped fuel the increase in registrations.’
He continued, ‘With more availability across models ranges and ever improving automatic style transmissions, combined with traffic increasing and queues getting longer, the ease of a non-manual has become more appealing than ever.’
| UK car registration share by gearbox type | ||
| Year | Manual | Other |
| 1998 | 86.52 | 13.48 |
| 1999 | 86.34 | 13.66 |
| 2000 | 86.14 | 13.86 |
| 2001 | 85.26 | 14.74 |
| 2002 | 85.17 | 14.83 |
| 2003 | 83.92 | 16.08 |
| 2004 | 81.76 | 18.24 |
| 2005 | 81.11 | 18.89 |
| 2006 | 80.04 | 19.96 |
| 2007 | 78.40 | 21.60 |
| 2008 | 78.59 | 21.41 |
| 2009 | 80.13 | 19.87 |
| 2010 | 77.48 | 22.52 |
| 2011 | 74.29 | 25.71 |
| 2012 | 73.33 | 26.67 |
| 2013 | 74.47 | 25.53 |
| 2014 | 72.48 | 27.52 |
| 2015 | 69.36 | 30.64 |
| 2016 | 65.25 | 34.75 |
| 2017 (so far) | 63.223 | 36.78 |
Other gearbox types include: automatic, continuously variable transmission (CVT) and direct-shift gearbox (DSG). All provide similar driving experiences.
