Honda Will Keep Building Manual-Transmission Cars Even Though The Company Admits Demand Is Shrinking

• Honda says it will continue offering manual transmissions in enthusiast cars despite declining demand.
• Honda executive Lance Woelfer acknowledged that the percentage of buyers interested in manuals continues to shrink.
• Honda recently paused production of the Civic Si, with an all-new version expected in the coming years.

We all know the manual transmission isn’t nearly as popular as it once was, but some automakers endeavour to keep the old-school shifter alive—at least for a little while longer. Honda is one of the few automakers that still offers a manual transmission in the US, but even Honda execs admit the gearbox is getting harder to justify.

Speaking to The Drive at the IndyCar Freedom 250 race in Washington, DC, Honda’s American Vice President of Auto Sales, Lance Woelfer, spoke candidly about the dying manual transmission. Woelfer said:

‘It continues to be a smaller and smaller portion of the market that gets excited about the manual, and that will probably continue to shrink, honestly.’

But there is some good news. Even though Woelfer admits that the manual isn’t nearly as in demand as it once was, he says Honda will continue to build a stick shift for enthusiast cars like the Honda Civic Si, Civic Type R, and Acura Integra Type S.

Just don’t expect to see more manuals beyond that.

Honda’s Manual Commitment Is Already Being Tested

While Honda is adamant that vehicles like the Si and Type R will keep their manual transmissions for the foreseeable future, the company did recently pause production of the current sixth-generation Civic Si. The company told Motor1 that an “all-new version” will show up in the coming years.

The entry-level performance car was the cheapest way to get a manual in the Honda lineup, with a starting price of $32,690 for the 2026 model year, including the $1,195 destination charge. Now, if you want a stick in the Honda lineup, you’ll have to step up to the Civic Type R, which starts at $47,395 with destination.

On the Acura side, the temporary death of the Civic Si means the Integra will also lose its manual on the A-Spec model, which starts at $40,495 for the 2026 model year. Buyers will have to step up to the $55,195 Type S model if they want a manual Acura come 2027.

For now, the manual isn’t dead at Honda. But it may be harder to find one in the future.

7

Source: Honda

Motor1’s Take: Honda’s promise to keep building manual cars is encouraging, but the company’s recent actions make it clear that there are limits to that commitment. We’ll see what happens with the next Civic Si—and whether it keeps its manual.