Visitors to the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show will see supercars, hoverboards, self-propelling luggage and all manner of new transportation options.
But they'll be hard pressed to find a clutch pedal or a stick shift. Available in nearly half of new models in the U.S. a decade ago, the manual transmission is going the way of the rumble seat, with stick availability falling to about a quarter this year.
Once standard equipment on all motor vehicles, preferred for its dependability, fuel efficiency and sporty characteristics, the four-on-the-floor is disappearing from major car manufacturers' lineups — and subsequently from the sprawling auto show's floors.
Consider, too, that electric vehicles don't even have a transmission.
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Friday November 18 2016, @05:56AM
Oh, please, explain that to my wife. Her car is never ready to move for at least two or three minutes.
Me? I stick the key in the ignition, turn it, put the car in gear, and immediately raise a cloud of dust. I'm usually slowing down to go through town before the heater begins to blow warm air. Every minute spent polluting the air in the driveway is a minute of wasted fuel. Not to mention, a minute of wasted time!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 18 2016, @02:47PM
You should really give everything about 15-30 seconds after you start before you beat on the darn thing.
(Score: 2) by Grishnakh on Friday November 18 2016, @05:21PM
What is it with women like that? WTF are they doing in there anyway? Messing around with their makeup or something?
(Score: 2) by tangomargarine on Friday November 18 2016, @06:17PM
My folks have Hispanic neighbors who like to warm them up their vehicles for literally a half-hour in the winter.
"Is that really true?" "I just spent the last hour telling you to think for yourself! Didn't you hear anything I said?"