Is it the end of an era for stick-shift cars?
They once made up about one third of all vehicles on the road, but now only a small fraction of cars sold in North America come with a manual transmission.
The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States said in 1980 about 35 per cent of all vehicles sold in North America had a manual transmission, but the agency said that number has currently dropped to about one per cent.
Now, sales of electric cars outpace cars with manual transmission and as fewer stick-shift cars are made, fewer people know how to drive them.
Natasha de Melis of Woodbridge, Ont. has a 1967 Ford Mustang GT Fastback in original condition with low mileage. But best of all for her, it's a stick shift.
“What I love most about driving a manual transmission is that you feel in control of the car," said de Melis.
de Melis said she learned to drive stick early because her father wanted her to know how to drive a car with a standard transmission.
“It was my Dad who gave me this birthday gift. He actually rented a Porsche for me to learn manual on,” said de Melis. “It was an incredible birthday experience I will never forget."
Some car companies have posted tutorials online to teach people how to drive a stick shift as it’s estimated that only about 20 per cent of drivers in North America know how to.
Hagerty Canada provides insurance for classic cars as well as a platform for manual transmission enthusiasts.
It also periodically hosts the Hagerty Driving Experience to teach people how to drive a stick shift.
Amy Pearson-Blay is the Vice President of Hagerty Canada and said “4,000 students have learned to drive manual since July 2011."
Pearson-Blay owns two manual transmission vehicles herself, a Delorean (the car from the Back to the Future films) and a Mazda Miata.
Pearson-Blay said knowing how to drive a stick shift is a good life skill.
“Having the control to tell the car when to go, how fast to go and when it's time to change the gears depending on the rpms is all good for a driver to know how to do,” said Pearson-Blay.
Because manual transmission vehicles are becoming more rare they're also increasing in value.
de Melis is asked about selling her Mustang so often she has a "not for sale" air freshener hanging from the mirror and says she has no plans to ever sell the car.
“At the end of the day nothing beats your typical 4 speed, 5 speed or 6 speed manual when it comes to driving,” said de Melis.
While there are fewer cars with manual transmissions in North America, that's not the case in other parts of the world. In Europe, about 80 per cent of cars are manual.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.