SHIFTING UP.

The article discusses the resurgence of manual transmissions in the automotive industry. While automatic SUVs, paddle-shift coupes, and gearless electric vehicles have dominated the market, a class of consumers is seeking a more visceral connection to driving and asking for manual transmissions. Established automakers and newcomers have responded by rolling out models designed to recapture this experience. Although manual transmissions only make up 2% of new vehicles sold in the US, there are still loyalists who appreciate the sensory pleasures and maneuverability that manual transmissions offer. These manual variants are also becoming more desirable in the collector market, with prices for manual cars often higher than their automatic counterparts. [Extracted from the article]

Copyright of Bloomberg Businessweek is the property of Bloomberg, L.P. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)