Automotive learners in 2025 face diverging choices as key economic trends influence whether they opt to learn in a manual or automatic car. Understanding what is driving the decision to learn in a manual or automatic car offers critical insight into shifting consumer preferences, technology adoption, and downstream impacts on the mobility sector.
What Happened
The driving test landscape in 2025 is undergoing a pronounced shift, with record numbers of new drivers globally choosing to learn and test in automatic cars. According to a 2024 survey from JATO Dynamics, over 68% of learner drivers across North America and Western Europe now prefer automatics, up from just 44% in 2020. This momentum correlates with a surge in automatic vehicle sales, bolstered by soaring EV adoption—over 80% of new electric vehicles sold in 2024 featured seamless automatic transmissions (Reuters, May 2024). “Most learners are responding to what they’re seeing on the market—electric and hybrid cars have almost entirely done away with manual gearboxes,” says Michael Grant, automotive market analyst at Mobility Insights Ltd. This data underscores that the focus keyphrase, driving the decision to learn in a manual or automatic car, has become a core concern for both new drivers and automotive stakeholders alike.
Why It Matters
The trend away from manual transmissions has implications for broader economic and market dynamics. As manufacturers phase out manual options to streamline global production and reduce costs, used car markets and aftersales services are similarly realigning. The decrease in manual proficiency could diminish the value and availability of manual-fleet vehicles in logistics and niche markets. Moreover, the focus on automatics mirrors advances in autonomous driving technology, which relies exclusively on automatic systems, positioning the workforce for a future where manual skills may hold less value. According to recent investment insights, sectors that traditionally relied on manual transmission skills—such as heavy commercial transport—may need to accelerate retraining as automatics become the norm.
Impact on Investors
For investors, understanding what is driving the decision to learn in a manual or automatic car can reveal both risks and opportunities. Major OEMs, such as TSLA (Tesla) and F (Ford Motor), have already transitioned their production to focus on automatic-compatible electric or hybrid drivetrains. This devaluation of manual cars is causing a divergence in used vehicle portfolios and could result in new aftermarket service opportunities. “For auto sector investors, holding exposure to companies leading in EVs and automatics is now less a choice than a necessity,” observes Priya Malik, lead auto equity strategist at Global Drive Analytics. Economic indicators such as the Automotive Market Transmission Index show a 21% YoY drop in manual transmission vehicle sales worldwide by Q1 2025. Investors may consider monitoring market analysis of automotive supply chain adjustments and impacts on gearbox manufacturers.
Expert Take
Analysts note that the accelerating move toward automatic vehicles—and thus automatic driving tests—reflects macroeconomic priorities and the global energy transition. Market strategists suggest that regions slow to adapt to these changes risk losing competitive advantage in both labor mobility and vehicle valuations over the next decade.
The Bottom Line
In 2025, what is driving the decision to learn in a manual or automatic car goes beyond individual preference to reflect sweeping technological and economic realignments within the automotive sector. As the industry continues its pivot toward electrification and automation, all market participants—from learners to investors—must adapt their strategies for resilience and growth. For the latest on these market shifts, readers can access sector research from ThinkInvest.
Tags: automotive trends, electric vehicles, driver education, market analysis, car industry.
