I think the choice of automatic-only may be less conspiratorial and more streamlining the product to broad tastes.
If only 10% of buyers choose the manual, it probably adds a fair amount of manufacturing and supply chain complexity to service them, which might drive up the cost for all models.
It’s like how most US carmakers don’t offer many diesel models.
Now, the ratchet of interior features… Plenty of people don’t want a huge monolith of an infotainment system with 14 speakers, but it’s standard and you can then be upsold the premium one with 25 speakers.
I think the choice of automatic-only may be less conspiratorial and more streamlining the product to broad tastes.
Its also fuel economy standards. In the 1990s manuals could give you better mileage but with the invention of 8 and 10 speed autos, they get better mileage than a 5 or 6 speed manual.
I agree that the elimination of manuals likely gives a benefit to the other 98% that chose automatic (though not necessarily passed on 1:1 of course), but I disagree on the diesel. Sure, the market preference is probably poor enough to bar it, but it’s crippled by US efficiency requirements into a non-starter for nearly every make. The US has stricter NOx allowances than the EU while also measuring emissions per gallon, whereas the EU rates vehicles by mile. So yes, NOx is pretty bad, especially when concentrated in city settings, but the pollution of passenger diesel in general is overblown when looking at net emissions over distance.
I think the choice of automatic-only may be less conspiratorial and more streamlining the product to broad tastes.
If only 10% of buyers choose the manual, it probably adds a fair amount of manufacturing and supply chain complexity to service them, which might drive up the cost for all models.
It’s like how most US carmakers don’t offer many diesel models.
Now, the ratchet of interior features… Plenty of people don’t want a huge monolith of an infotainment system with 14 speakers, but it’s standard and you can then be upsold the premium one with 25 speakers.
Its also fuel economy standards. In the 1990s manuals could give you better mileage but with the invention of 8 and 10 speed autos, they get better mileage than a 5 or 6 speed manual.
I agree that the elimination of manuals likely gives a benefit to the other 98% that chose automatic (though not necessarily passed on 1:1 of course), but I disagree on the diesel. Sure, the market preference is probably poor enough to bar it, but it’s crippled by US efficiency requirements into a non-starter for nearly every make. The US has stricter NOx allowances than the EU while also measuring emissions per gallon, whereas the EU rates vehicles by mile. So yes, NOx is pretty bad, especially when concentrated in city settings, but the pollution of passenger diesel in general is overblown when looking at net emissions over distance.