Bring Back the Std. Trans.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
good... forget the numbers, they don't mean anything.
look at the percentages.
What percentage of pickups with a manual transmission sold? (100%?)
What percentage of pickups without a manual transmission sold? (not 100%?)
The total numbers were simply lower because they made fewer to begin with... not because they didn't sell.
look at the percentages.
What percentage of pickups with a manual transmission sold? (100%?)
What percentage of pickups without a manual transmission sold? (not 100%?)
The total numbers were simply lower because they made fewer to begin with... not because they didn't sell.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
It is about more than numbers of vehicles sold. It is also about return on investment. With no choice in transmission, the EPA certification program becomes easier, as you only have to certify 1/2 as many drive line combinations. Parts do not have to be made and stocked for manual transmissions and all associated hardware, manuals do not have to be written for manual shift trucks....all of these things cost $$$$$ and cut into the bottom line.
Also, diesel exhaust regeneration is easier to accomplish with an auto trans.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,267
Likes: 5
....all started with chinese video games....
Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 15,014
Likes: 35
From: Semper Fi tell I die!
i think its more of the parenting then the video game. they let videogames and tv raise them since they dont want to parent.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
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My daughter knows how to check the oil and tire pressures on her car and likes driving with a clutch because because I taught her those things. All of her friends know nothing more about an automobile than where to stick the ignition key...a manual transmission is something not of this planet to them....hence there demise.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
What's really sad is that we have several guys in their 30s/40s at my work that have no idea how to drive a manual transmission. That gets to be a problem because a good portion of our fleet vehicles are Rangers with manual transmissions. I really don't know why they even bother to hire anyone if they can't drive a manual.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,557
Likes: 0
From: Bucks county PA
I've been to the local ryder and penske stores for rentals every now and then and its funny when you ask them specifically for a manual tranny equipped truck.
They always are saying they have cdl A drivers come in to rent trucks or pick up lease trucks and they can't because many can't or don't want to drive a stick shift. I think that ridiculous. How can you even get a CDL without knowing how to drive stick??
That being said, I would love to see ford return to a manual tranny option! I love the G56 tranny that dodge offers, the ratios seem to be very nice!
They always are saying they have cdl A drivers come in to rent trucks or pick up lease trucks and they can't because many can't or don't want to drive a stick shift. I think that ridiculous. How can you even get a CDL without knowing how to drive stick??
That being said, I would love to see ford return to a manual tranny option! I love the G56 tranny that dodge offers, the ratios seem to be very nice!
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
Likes: 4
From: Nowthen, MN
Easy, you show up with an F-350 and a trailer, take the test, and you go home with a class A CDL.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
Likes: 27
From: Mesa AZ
My son learned to drive in a '87 BMW 3 series 5 speed manual. No cup holders and no place for a cell phone. Pretty hard to text while having to shift gears....
Worked out great. When he graduated high school we got him a F-150 for college. It was a used truck but in good condition and automatic trans. My daughter will start driving next summer. She is building her car now. '97 Pontiac TA WS6 with a 6 speed manual trans. It does have a cup holder though.....my little girl needs a little luxury now and then.
My wife drives a Super Duty most days but she does have a 'fun' car in the garage. It's older but still works....'76 Corvette with 4 speed manual trans. The manual trans was her idea, actually it was a requirement or she wouldn't own the car. I think it's kinda ironic that all our trucks are automatic while all our automobiles are manual trans. I guess our family is a bit backwards compared to most.
