It feels like the manual transmission is dying. Decades ago, automatics became the latest and greatest thing with the introduction of the first fully automatic transmission, and whoever said it would be the death of the manual transmission wasn’t wrong.
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However, car enthusiasts know too well that there is just something personal about shifting gears, kicking the clutches, and feeling that special connection with your car, but it seems like that is being more and more overlooked. Perhaps we just use cars for different things now, but it definitely feels like young Nigerians who have gotten used to automatic transmissions hate manual transmissions.
Manual Cars are Becoming a Thing of History
Before automatic cars became popularly known in Nigeria, almost everyone drove manual cars and they all loved it. In fact, manual cars were described as the best cars for beginners to learn how to drive, as they teach a lot of important car tips.
However, over time, the popularity of automatic cars has taken over from manual cars leaving many Nigerians, there will be fewer manual cars in the country. Even to young Nigerians, the thought of buying manual cars doesn’t cross their minds, as everyone wants the easier feel of driving an automatic vehicle.
Automatic Cars are Easier to Drive
Automatic cars are easier to drive for many people. Perhaps it is because manual transmission cars have become few and far between, and only a tiny percentage of Nigerians even know how to drive a stick shift, let alone drive it confidently and without stress.
Perhaps we have started to idolize the idea of cars that drive themselves completely and settled on automatic cars in the meantime. It could be that drivers see their cars as methods to get from A to B without needing that true driving experience.
Obviously, it isn’t all Nigerians who hate manual transmission cars, whether they are SUVs or sports cars. There is still enough demand that plenty of manufacturers, continue to produce stick shifts in plentiful numbers. If you did a survey walking down the street, however, you would find that the average Nigerian prefers an automatic transmission today.
No one can be faulted either. Driving with kids, in traffic, or even just making your morning drive has been made easier with the help of an automatic transmission.
While it can’t be said that Nigerians hate manual transmission, the great majority aren’t particularly fond of it anymore. Perhaps driving with an extra pedal does not interest most people or many people have just accepted that their cars can shift faster and more efficiently than they have.
