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Thread: Mitsu Canada to offer both manual and CVT transmissions. What about U.S.?

  1. #1

    Mitsu Canada to offer both manual and CVT transmissions. What about U.S.?

    There seemed to be some question in a few US automotive blogs/websites about whether or not North Americans would get the choice of a manual transmission or just the CVT.

    Drivers in other countries may have heard that U.S. drivers in particular - even more than in Canada - overwhelmingly opt for automatic transmissions. They've shunned manuals for years, and they make up just a fraction of new sales. So you can see why this might factor into marketing/options decisions for a car company selling on the west side of the big pond.

    However, a Canadian Mitsu dealership has posted this:

    It's expected to come with a 1.2L 3 Cylinder engine, with transmission options of both automatic and manual
    Source: http://www.mitsu.ca/mirage.htm

    So let's call this "unofficial official" news. (Really, we have to take it with a grain of salt - someone at this same dealership said on YouTube that the car will have a 70 MPG (US) EPA rating, which is let's say a tad optimistic.)

    But if it's true, it's really fantastic news for those who enjoy the engagement a manual brings to driving... and for drivers skilled enough in DIY cog swapping to beat the fuel economy of even a well-designed CVT.

    Australian and U.K. drivers also get the choice of manual or CVT. The question still remains for the manual-averse US market though.


        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


  2. #2
    Member Matt's Avatar
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    I think manuals are only about 10% of the market here in the US, but that's across all car makes. They are somewhat more popular on small cars, and I think it will hurt not to offer a manual option.

  3. #3
    That makes sense -- that manuals would make up a higher percentage in entry-level cars where buyers are most sensitive to price.

    EG: if going for an automatic raises the total cost of a car by 10% ($1,200 option on a $12,000 car), a person would be more likely to hesitate.

    It would be interesting to see some stats for transmission choice in some of the lower cost new cars.

        __________________________________________

        click to view fuel log View my fuel log 2014 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 63.2 mpg (US) ... 26.9 km/L ... 3.7 L/100 km ... 75.9 mpg (Imp)


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    Member Matt's Avatar
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    I don't know of any way to tell for sure, but one test I use is look at local dealers' inventory. If you want a manual Fiat 500, no problem. There are dozens at the nearest dealer. On the other hand, if you want a manual Ford Fusion, you'll have to order one. No one has one within 50 miles of me.



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