The death of the stick shift is almost here

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Democracy Dies in Darkness

Transportation

Driving a manual vehicle is a lost art. Hopes of a revival have fallen flat. With the rise of EVs and autonomous vehicles, only a few die-hards are holding on.

July 17, 2026 at 6:00 a.m. EDTToday at 6:00 a.m. EDT

Less than 1 percent of new vehicles made for the U.S. market in 2025 were stick shifts. (iStock)

His father was a devoted fan of the stick shift, and so when it came time for Alvaro Puig to get his driver’s license in the early ’90s, that meant figuring out how to work the clutch and three pedals in his father’s old manual BMWs.

What readers are saying

The comments reflect a nostalgic appreciation for manual transmission vehicles, with many users sharing personal experiences and fond memories of driving stick shifts. Several commenters highlight the skill and joy associated with driving manuals, noting their effectiveness as... Show more

This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.

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