Nearly Half of 2023 Toyota GR Supras Sold with Manual Transmission

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【Summary】Toyota has reported that nearly half of the 2023 GR Supras sold are equipped with manual transmissions, despite initially not offering the option. This surprising demand for manual transmissions suggests a growing enthusiast market. The trend of enthusiasts opting for manual transmissions may be a result of the increasing popularity of larger cars and the imminent threat of electrification.

FutureCar Staff Aug 16, 2023 6:26 AM PT

Nearly Half of 2023 Toyota GR Supras Sold with Manual Transmission

Stick shifts, once taken for granted by enthusiasts, are now becoming an endangered species. However, there has been a recent increase in the number of manual builds for certain sports cars, including the 2023 GR Supra from Toyota. According to a statement from the automaker to Road & Track, an impressive 47% of the 2023 GR Supras have been equipped with a clutch pedal. This statistic is particularly surprising considering that the new Supra was initially not offered with a stick shift, and the company had expected only one in four Supra buyers to opt for it.

It is difficult to determine whether this trend signifies a true shift in the market, but there are indications that the enthusiast market is still thriving. The rise of electrification and the popularity of larger, higher-riding cars may be driving many enthusiasts to purchase vehicles with manual transmissions while they still can. Even those who may not have considered a car with a clutch pedal before are realizing the need to act quickly.

Toyota's impressive figures are just one part of a larger story. More automakers are beginning to offer manual transmissions as a dedicated fun configuration, rather than just a cheap option. While crossovers continue to dominate the market and electric vehicles are gaining traction, buyers and a select few brands are not ready to let the manual transmission die out completely.