2020 Corvette's No Manual Transmission Is Partly Generational Partly Dealership

The lack of a manual transmission in 2020 Corvette is partly generational.

Younger drivers simply did not have manual transmission cars when growing up. It is said that one of the best theft prevention devices for cars today is to simply have a manual transmission, because most young car thieves have never driven with a clutch, and they wouldn't even know how to get in reverse.

Certainly not without drawing unwanted attention to themselves.

Partly Corvette Dealerships

Another point about automatic transmission is the dealerships.

The Chevy dealerships will stock the cars and configurations in their inventories that they think will sell best, appealing to the broadest audience. So outside of having a single flashy car showroom model with wildly bright paint, chrome wheels, and maybe a manual transmission, they are going to have their dealership lots filled with neutral colored, automatic transmission models, loaded with options that they add a fat margin to.

So then probably most of the manual transmission Corvettes in the past were pre-ordered or special ordered by customers. And that would be a smaller percentage of the cars sold. Then when they see the smaller number of manual transmission cars sold, the dealers and automakers build less manuals.

Until they stop altogether like this.

Exceptions to this are cars like the Porsche GT3, where most of the cars are pre-ordered or special-ordered, and buyers then choose a manual because of the racing nature of the car. Then with most GT3 buyers choosing manuals, Porsche keeps offering them with the car. The Dodge Viper was never even offered with an automatic transmission.

By the way, the 2020 C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray will not even be in showrooms for several more months (they are closer to dealer lots than you think), but one insider claims it is virtually sold out already. Note this: virtually, but not sold out. They just have very good number of orders.

According to Autoblog, GM head designer Michael Simcoe reportedly told the publication that he thinks the 2020 Chevy Corvette orders have already hit the first year of production numbers.

Watch our 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray detailed walkaround and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube channel for daily Corvette and automotive news analysis.

See you in my next story titled "Why the Chevy Volt is Hands Down Better Than the Gen 1 Toyota Prius or the Nissan Leaf."

Dean McManis is an electric car specialist and can be reached on Facebook at DeanMcManis for tips and feedback. Please, also leave your comments below for discussion.