Omari Gates
Australia has over 21 million registered cars, with the number of registered vehicles increasing each year. In 2023, New South Wales had the most registered motor vehicles at 6,154,814, while the Northern Territory had the fewest at 166,110. While there are no exact figures on how many of these cars are automatic, it can be assumed that a large majority are. Only 3% of new cars sold in Australia are manual, with automatic cars becoming increasingly popular due to their drivability, automation, and smoothness of ride.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of registered vehicles in Australia | 21,168,462 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in NSW | 6,154,814 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in Queensland | 4,598,755 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in Victoria | 5,391,255 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in South Australia | 1,556,185 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in Western Australia | 2,437,785 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in Tasmania | 532,142 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in ACT | 331,416 in 2023 |
| Number of registered vehicles in Northern Territory | 166,110 in 2023 |
| Percentage of vehicles purchased that are automatic | 97% |
| Percentage of vehicles purchased that are manual | 3% |
| Number of manual cars for sale on Carsales | 55,000 |
| Number of automatic cars for sale on Carsales | 170,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia has over 21 million cars
Australia has over 21 million registered cars, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures. The number of registered vehicles increased across every state and territory between 31 January 2022 and 31 January 2023. New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland have the highest number of vehicle registrations, accounting for more than 76% of all registered motor vehicles.
While there is no exact data on the number of automatic cars in Australia, it is clear that automatic cars are far more common than manual cars. In 2020, only 3% of new car sales in Australia were manual, and retailers have been paying attention to this trend. Dealerships have been gearing up with automatic cars as demand for manuals continues to slow. This is a significant shift from the year 2000, when more than a quarter of passenger car sales and over a third of SUV sales were of models equipped with a manual transmission.
There are several reasons why automatic cars have become more popular in Australia. Firstly, technology in automatic transmissions has improved significantly in terms of drivability, automation, and smoothness of the ride. Properly maintained, they are also less likely to fail due to wear and are easier to integrate with other systems like cruise control and certain safety features. Secondly, as more automatic cars are purchased, there are fewer manual cars available for younger drivers to learn in, impacting the number of manual drivers on the road.
Despite the clear trend towards automatic cars, some car companies, such as Hyundai, have stated that they will continue to offer manual transmissions for customers who prefer to change gears themselves. Additionally, there are signs that younger drivers are showing more interest in manual transmission driving due to factors such as nostalgia for simpler times.
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97% of vehicles purchased are automatic
Australia has over 21 million registered cars, and 97% of vehicles purchased by consumers are automatic. This means that only 3% of car sales in Australia are manual, and demand for manual cars is decreasing.
In 2020, only 5.07% of passenger cars and 1.15% of SUVs sold were manual. This is a dramatic drop from 2000, when 25% of passenger car sales and 33% of SUV sales were manual. Australians bought over 150,000 manual cars each year, but in 2020, this number dropped to 11,282.
There are several reasons for the decline in manual car sales. Firstly, advancements in technology have made automatic transmissions extremely good in terms of drivability, automation, and smoothness of ride. Properly maintained, they are also less likely to fail due to wear and are easier to integrate with other systems like cruise control and certain safety features. Secondly, the increasing popularity of SUVs, which traditionally have lower rates of manual transmission, has contributed to the decline. In 2000, over 100 SUV variants were equipped with a manual transmission, but by 2020, only 32 SUV variants offered a manual option.
Despite the low demand for manual cars in Australia, some car companies, like Hyundai, continue to offer manual options for their performance-oriented cars, catering to drivers who prefer changing gears themselves. In addition, there are signs that younger drivers are showing more interest in manual transmission driving, possibly due to nostalgia for simpler times.
In summary, while automatic cars dominate the Australian market, with 97% of vehicles purchased being automatic, there is a small but dedicated group of enthusiasts who appreciate the skill and fun involved in driving a manual car.
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Manual driving is a dying art
There are more than 21 million cars in Australia, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures. While there are no exact figures on how many of these are manual, it is clear that automatic cars are far more common. In 2020, only 11,282 manual-equipped passenger cars were sold in Australia, down from 150,000 a few years prior. This trend is also reflected in the number of people learning to drive in manual cars, with only one in ten learner driving tests in NSW in 2022 being in a manual car.
Manual driving appears to be a dying art in Australia, with only 3% of new cars sold in the country having a manual transmission. This is a significant decrease from previous years, with more and more car manufacturers discontinuing manual transmissions for their most popular models. For example, the Volkswagen Golf GTI is now only available in an automatic transmission in Australia.
There are several reasons for the decline in manual driving. One reason could be that automatic cars are generally far superior in terms of drivability, automation, and smoothness of the ride. They are also less likely to fail due to wear and are easier to integrate with other systems like cruise control and certain safety features. In addition, the increasing popularity of SUVs, which are mostly automatic, has contributed to the decline in manual sales.
However, some people still prefer manual cars as they provide a more engaging and fun driving experience. Manual cars offer greater control, especially on hilly or twisty roads, and many people find the skill of driving a manual car rewarding to conquer. In addition, manual cars have historically been cheaper to buy, run, and maintain, and they may also be less likely to be stolen as most car thieves cannot drive a manual.
Despite the decline in manual driving, there are signs that some younger drivers are showing more interest in manual transmission. This could be due to nostalgia for simpler times or the desire for a more engaging driving experience.
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Most carsales listings are automatic
While manual transmissions have historically been cheaper to buy, run and maintain, automatic cars have become increasingly popular in Australia. In 2016, a post on Reddit noted that on car sales websites, there were 170,000 automatic cars listed for sale compared to 55,000 manual cars. This trend has continued, with automatic transmissions making up more than 70% of the new car market in Australia as of 2023.
There are several reasons why automatic cars have become more popular than manual cars in Australia. One reason is the improvement in technology, with automatic transmissions offering a smoother and more efficient driving experience. Automatic cars are also easier to integrate with modern safety systems and are less likely to fail due to wear and tear. Additionally, the rise in popularity of hybrid and electric cars, which typically use automatic transmissions, has contributed to the decline in manual car sales.
Despite the decline in manual car sales, there are still some drivers who prefer the engagement and control offered by manual transmissions. Some drivers find manual driving more enjoyable and rewarding, especially on hilly or twisty roads. However, manual driving can be more challenging, especially when trying to perform other tasks simultaneously, such as using a phone.
The shift towards automatic cars has also had an impact on younger drivers, with fewer young drivers having access to a manual car to learn in. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of manual driving tests being conducted. For example, in New South Wales in 2022, just over one in 10 learner driving tests was in a manual car, while in Victoria, the figure was one in six.
While the majority of car sales in Australia are now automatic, there are still some models and segments where manual transmissions remain popular. For example, in the 'sports cars under $80,000' category, manual transmissions accounted for 31.8% of sales, with models such as the Nissan Z and Ford Mustang having a significant portion of their sales attributed to manual transmissions. Additionally, certain types of vehicles, such as light commercial vehicles and hot hatchbacks, still have a relatively high proportion of manual sales.
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Manual drivers are more likely to pass their test first time
Although automatic cars are becoming more common in Australia, manual drivers are more likely to pass their test on the first try. This is possibly due to a variety of factors, including increased confidence and experience.
In Australia, the number of automatic cars is on the rise, with 170,000 autos for sale compared to 55,000 manuals. This shift towards automatic cars is also reflected in learner driver trends. For example, in New South Wales in 2022, only one in ten learner driving tests was conducted in a manual car. A similar pattern can be observed in Victoria, with one in six tests, and in Queensland, where the figure is closer to one in four. Despite this, manual drivers are more likely to pass their driving test on the first attempt, according to a 2023 BudgetDirect survey.
Passing a driving test on the first try may be influenced by a combination of factors, including age, confidence, and experience. Older learners, for instance, tend to exhibit greater caution and patience, and they may have had more informal driving experience prior to taking lessons. This additional experience can better prepare them for the test. Conversely, younger drivers are often quicker to acquire skills but may lack the real-world experience that comes with age.
Confidence is another critical factor in passing the driving test. While confidence is essential, finding the right balance between confidence and caution is key to safe driving. Overconfidence can sometimes lead to unsafe driving practices. Therefore, it is important to remember that passing the test is just the beginning, and real-world experience plays a significant role in shaping driving habits over time.
To increase your chances of passing the driving test, it is recommended to practice extensively. This can include seeking feedback from friends and hiring a professional driving instructor. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with common mistakes that can lead to immediate failure, such as incorrect lane changing, driving too fast or too slow, and failing to obey signs and signals, can help you avoid them during the exam.
In conclusion, while manual drivers in Australia are more likely to pass their test on the first attempt, it is important to recognize that passing the test is just the first step. Safe driving is a continuous learning process that involves striking a balance between confidence and caution, as well as gaining real-world experience.
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Frequently asked questions
There are more than 21 million cars in Australia, according to the latest publicly available federal government figures.
97% of vehicles purchased by consumers in Australia are automatic. This means that around 20.4 million cars in Australia are automatic.
Only 3% of new car sales in Australia are manual.
