Business Insider tells the global tech, finance, stock market, media, economy, lifestyle, real estate, AI and innovative stories you want to know.
Ford CEO Jim Farley says cars with three pedals and a stick shift still have a sacred place in the Detroit automaker's lineup."We offer manual because some people really love driving them. They love being connected to the car," Farley said in a statement Ford shared exclusively with Business Insider.
Farley's comments underscore a broader divide in the auto industry: As performance cars become faster and more technologically advanced, some automakers are moving away from manual transmissions altogether, while others are holding on to them for a shrinking, but passionate, audience.Ford's cross-town rival, General Motors, is firmly in the first camp. GM stopped offering a manual Corvette when it introduced its current mid-engine model in 2020.Citing years of slowing demand, executives have shown little interest in bringing the clutch back."We don't have any plans to talk about a manual transmission," Tony Roma, GM's executive chief engineer for performance cars, said in an interview at the 12 Hours of Sebring. "The car is faster and essentially better with the transmission that we make."A post shared by Christian A GM spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.Ford, by contrast, has continued to offer manual options in enthusiast vehicles like the Mustang GT, Mustang Dark Horse, and the off-road SUV Bronco."As long as customers care that deeply, we're going to keep building them," Farley said.Farley said his recent trip to Vatican City cemented his belief in the driver-controlled transmission."When I met Pope Leo, he shared a great story about owning a manual Fusion earlier in his life," Farley said. "That tells you something — this isn't nostalgia. It's about engagement. They are fun."Across the industry, the number of manual options is shrinking. Only 24 model-year 2026 vehicles in the US offer a manual transmission, according to a recent count by Dub Magazine — and that list is still going through major changes.This month, Toyota and BMW are discontinuing the Supra and Z4 sports cars, including their manual trims. Meanwhile, Nissan's redesigned Z gets a standard option for 2027.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ford has revealed a new Transit for under £30k – and it's built for city useEV is the first new nameplate launched by Ford Commercial since the Custom in 2012
Read more »
Mark Pope will likely make a second run at an SEC guard in the transfer portalAnother option at the point guard spot is available for Mark Pope in the transfer portal.
Read more »
The New Ford Transit City Is A High-Tech Electric Van With Chinese RootsFord’s latest electric van looks modern, gets LFP batteries, and is designed for urban environments. Just don't expect a U.S. version.
Read more »
This Week in Jacksonville: Business Edition - Bank of America leader shares 3 priorities for business ownersAs Northeast Florida heads into Q2 2026, Bank of America Jacksonville President & Southeast Regional Executive Mark Bennett says local business confidence has shifted toward growth - if owners have the right capital in place to seize opportunities.
Read more »
Myha'la Stomps Around New York City in a Tom Ford-Era Gucci Deep CutShe styled it with not one, but two bags.
Read more »
FC Barcelona joins Miami business boom, leaves NYC behind for Florida’s business-friendly climateMiami's One Biscayne Tower lands FC Barcelona as a new office tenant, with CP Group's Angelo Bianco saying the city offers a 'liberating' business environment.
Read more »