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: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday November 18 2016, @02:30PM
Subaru used to have a "hill holder" where if you step on the brakes with the clutch petal down, the brakes will still be on when you switch to the gas pedal. As you ease up on the clutch, the brakes release. It's basically a line-lock.