Manual gearboxes are slowly dying, according to new research, with just one in four new models from established manufacturers selling non-automatics.
Fresh data has found that only 67 models available today have a manual gearbox, down a staggering 66 per cent compared to a decade ago.
The new report shows that 67 of 292 vehicles sold by the UK's top 30 manufacturers are available with a manual transmission, compared to 197 models in 2016.
Manufacturers have slowly been moving away from manual transmissions as more drivers switch to electric vehicles, which are all automatic.
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Reflecting this trend, an increasing number of people who are learning how to drive are choosing to learn in an automatic car, rather than a manual.
The concentration of automatic vehicles also continues to rise, with 225 of 292 models offered exclusively with an automatic gearbox.
This is a modest increase from 197 last year, emphasising the popularity of electric vehicles on the new car market.
Eight manufacturers now exclusively sell vehicles with an automatic gearbox, including Fiat, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Volvo, Tesla, Mini, and Lexus.
The number of cars being sold with manual gearboxes continues to fall year-on-year
|GETTY
This is a huge 60 per cent increase in the number of brands of automakers ditching manual gearboxes in just two years.
The report from CarGurus excluded Jaguar as the iconic British automaker prepares to relaunch its brand with expectations it will exclusively feature automatic gearboxes.
Chinese brands have also had an impact on the popularity of manual gearboxes on the UK market, with manufacturers launching high-end hybrids and electric cars as standard.
The likes of BYD, Jaecoo and Omoda offer 15 new models on the UK market, including the best-selling Jaecoo 7, all of which are only available as automatic variants.
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BYD and other Chinese car brands on the UK market do not offer vehicles with manual gearboxes
| BYDChris Knapman, editorial director of CarGurus UK, acknowledged the growing popularity of automatics through electric cars, which will soon become the dominant powertrain on the road.
However, he stated that there were still plenty of options on the second-hand market for enthusiasts and those who prefer driving a manual vehicle.
Mr Knapman added: "From compact hatchbacks to sporty coupes, enthusiasts can still find vehicles that deliver the connection and enjoyment of a manual.
"Our research highlights that while new manual cars are declining, there has never been a better time to explore the used market."
Ford continues to offer a number of manual vehicles, including the UK's best-selling vehicle, the Ford Puma
| FORDNew models available with a manual gearbox from the UK's top 30 brands
- Audi - A1, A3, Q2
- BMW - M2
- Citroen - Berlingo, C3, C3 Aircross
- Cupra - Formentor, Leon
- Dacia - Duster, Jogger, Sandero, Sandero Stepway, Bigster
- Ford - Puma, Kuga, Tourneo Custom, Tourneo Courier, Mustang, Ranger
- Hyundai - Bayon, i10, i20, Kona, Tucson
- Jeep - Avenger
- Kia - K4, Picanto, Sportage, Stonic, XCeed
- Mazda - CX-30, CX-5, MAZDA3, MX-5
- MG - MG3, HS, ZS
- Nissan - Juke, Qashqai
- Peugeot - 208, 2008
- Porsche - 911
- Renault - Clio, Captur
- Seat - Arona, Ibiza, Leon, Ateca
- Skoda - Fabia, Kamiq, Karoq, Octavia, Scala
- Suzuki - S-Cross, Swift, Vitara
- Toyota - GR Yaris, Hilux
- Vauxhall - Astra, Corsa, Mokka
- Volkswagen - Polo, Golf, Taigo, T-Cross, Transporter