GM - Manual Transmission

[MotoAce51]

I remember the guy posting on here how higher end cars dont seem to have manual anymore. I just heard that GM is stopping production on Manual transmission cars. They will only have auto. It is said it will save money because there wont need to be a second line for building the cars. What do you think? People going to miss the Manual?

[scherry2]

there isn't a separate line for manual transmissions or automatics in the assembly process. its just area usage. a person loads transmissions on a line in sequence order be it a manual which are probably to his right, and automatics to his left. this is a simple explanation because there more than 1 manual trans and 1 automatic in the assembly process.It is a huge savings in reduced parts meaning all the different parts used in a manual vs automatic. steering columns, shifters, different pcms plastic parts ect.

[Tubaryan12]

I will not miss them. I've driven manuals and like them, but as long as I have a Tiptronic, I won't miss them.

[KITT222]

I highly doubt Gm is going to be killing the manual, especially not when it has given them the highly-sought-after 42mpg (hwy) on the Cruze Eco. Ferrari or Lamborghini (or both) are stopping production of their manuals because automatics shift faster for better performance, that I know for sure. but this would be BIG, front-page news, and this is the only place I've seen it. The extra cost of the transmission is added onto the final price of the car, although automatics are optional when 'building' a car, and can be expensive (like VWs DSG dual-clutch automatic. Over $1000 added on.). It'd make more sense to kill the automatic, if they wanted to decrease cost (which would still be passed onto the buyer).

[MotoAce51]

I boubt they can close it completely but they are planning on closing lines over the next few years. Its part of their bankrupcy plan or w/e. And typically they would have a seporate line for something different on an auto. Its doubtful they would take parts for 2 different models and run them on the same line. Too many chances for serious errors in production.

[bassplayaz06]

the camaro and corvette both come stock with a 6 speed manual. cheaper than making an automatic, better gas mileage, easier to work on. also, their european market, every car they sell is only a manual.

[MotoAce51]

Outside the US they will still make manual. From a manufacturing stand point its money to change over to a different model of a product. They currently sell more auto's than manuals. So they will ultimately spend less not changing over.

[lovemyraffe]

Sorry but I don't believe that GM is going to discontinue the manual transmission.

[KITT222]

But whatever cost it is to make the two variants is passed to the customer. When you buy a car you're buying the materials the car was made of, you're paying the people who built the car, the cost of utilities in the shop, and cost to run the machines that built the car and etc etc... And again, I am pretty certain that this isn't happening. I haven't heard of this from any other source. Plus, the Cruze Eco manual puts GM far ahead of the competition as far as fuel economy. Where did you hear this?

[star_deceiver]

Quote, originally posted by lovemyraffe »Sorry but I don't believe that GM is going to discontinue the manual transmission. +1And if they do discontinue production of stickshift cars, I will be shopping another brand when it comes time to replace the Vibe!

[jake75]

I always thought that the reason to have both a manual and an automatic was so they could charge an unreasonable amount for the AT option. Is the added cost of an AT really $1,000?

[KITT222]

On VWs it is. I"m not so sure about on GM cars though. Let me check real quick...EDIT: yep, it looks like it is... The 4-spd auto on the Aveo costs $925. Toyota's is pretty much around the same price.

[Salsa Guy]

Say it isn't so. But quite frankly I havn't owned a truely GM made product in years. They made some great V8 and V6 rear wheel drive cars. But ever since they made front wheel drive cars I won't touch them.

[MotoAce51]

I heard the info from my dad (NYS DOT Supervisor), and a couple other mechanics. I doubt its going to happen but I can see the company benifit. As for the cost going to the customers, that is true, but have you worked in manufacturing before? They literally will switch to something else to save 1 penny. They are trying to maximize profit while minimizing cost.

[MotoAce51]

Quote, originally posted by Tubaryan12 »I will not miss them. I've driven manuals and like them, but as long as I have a Tiptronic, I won't miss them. This what we talked about. This is the option they would go. I found a page talking about it last night but can't find it again today. Ill look after work to get some more info.

[scherry2]

you haven't been able to get a manual in a GM 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton truck for a few years now. the price of a manual will probably be an option as Automatics are more common and made in greater numbers therefore cheaper to assemble.

[michaelgt]

The 2012 Buick Regal is available with the manual. Therefore, it will be another year before this will be true.

[MotoAce51]

I think the plan was to faze it out over the next couple years not all at once.

[LedFootin]

They can, and do build more than one model of car on the same line. Untill 2009 the Vibe the Matrix and the Corola were all built on the same line.

[KITT222]

Quote, originally posted by LedFootin’ »They can, and do build more than one model of car on the same line. Untill 2009 the Vibe the Matrix and the Corola were all built on the same line.This is true. The Lacrosse comes off the same line as the Volt, for example, with others also coming off that line.

[MotoAce51]

They can all come off the same line but it doesnt mean they are one after another. There are change over times. You see this in all industry. I used to have to set these up to mainimize change over times. I did it when I worked in Quality engineering...