What year did Chevy stop making manual transmission?
Chevrolet largely stopped offering factory-manual transmissions in its mainstream lineup in the late 2010s, with the Camaro representing the last major model to provide a manual option. In recent model years, Chevy has moved toward automatic-only transmissions for new cars in most markets.
This article explains how the shift happened, which models held out longest, and what it means for buyers today. The trend toward automatic transmissions was driven by cost, efficiency, and consumer demand, so manuals became increasingly rare outside of specialty or performance-focused variants.
A timeline of the manual-gearbox decline at Chevrolet
The following timeline highlights the broad trend across Chevrolet’s lineup, noting the last notable holdouts and the current state of manuals in new Chevrolets. This overview focuses on the U.S. market, where model availability has the most visibility.
- Early 2000s to mid-2010s: Manuals were still common in certain Chevrolet models, especially the Camaro’s V6 and V8 variants; other models largely moved toward automatic transmissions.
- Late 2010s: GM accelerated the shift toward automatics across the lineup; the Camaro remained the primary Chev model offering a factory manual for performance-oriented buyers.
- Early to mid-2020s: The Corvette lineup moved away from manual options in the C7/C8 era, and most new Chevrolets in the U.S. were offered with automatic transmissions as the standard or only choice. By the 2024 model year, the standard practice in most Chevrolet models is automatic-only in new-car sales.
These milestones illustrate a broad industry trend that Chevrolet followed: fewer, but more specialized, manual options persisted for a short period before being phased out in favor of automatic transmissions.
Model-by-model snapshot: where manuals stood and how they ended
Chevrolet Camaro
The Camaro was the last Chevrolet model to maintain a factory manual option for a considerable period, appealing to enthusiasts who preferred a hands-on driving experience with generations that offered a six-speed manual Tremec transmission. In recent years, the manual option became increasingly narrow in availability, and in the 2020s the market largely shifted toward automatic transmissions for new Camaros. For many buyers, the Camaro manual represented Chevrolet’s final major holdout for a factory manual in the U.S. market.
Chevrolet Corvette
Older Corvette generations (such as the C5/C6/C7) offered manual transmissions, including a 6- or 7-speed manual in various configurations. However, the mid- to late-2010s transition to the C8 Stingray marked a move to an automatic (8-speed) transmission only for new production in many markets. The Corvette manual option effectively ended with the C7 era in the U.S. market, and the current C8 lineup does not include a factory manual.
Other Chevrolet models
Beyond the Camaro and Corvette, Chevrolet’s other mainstream models (such as compact and passenger cars and most trucks) moved away from manuals earlier in the 2010s. Some legacy or region-specific trims in older years did offer manual options, but those are now rare or discontinued in the U.S. market. In summary, for new-car shoppers in recent years, manuals are not widely available outside select performance-focused or used-vehicle options.
What this means for buyers today
If you’re shopping for a new Chevrolet today, you should expect automatic transmissions across almost all models. Manual transmissions are now largely limited to used-car markets or very specific, older model-year Camaros (and, historically, certain Corvette generations) rather than new sales.
For enthusiasts who prioritize a manual, the used-car route becomes the primary avenue, with Camaro generations offering manuals in earlier years. Prospective buyers should verify the exact transmission option for any specific model year and market, as availability can vary by region and equipment package.
Summary
Chevrolet’s shift away from manual transmissions happened gradually over the 2010s, culminating in a largely automatic lineup for new cars by the mid- to late-2020s. The Camaro stood as the brand’s last notable manual-holding model in the U.S. market for a period, with the manual option disappearing on most new Chevroles in recent years. For buyers today, manuals are predominantly found in used Camaros or in historical context, rather than as a choice on new Chevrolet vehicles.
Final takeaway
The era of widespread factory manual transmissions from Chevrolet has effectively concluded in the U.S. market, with the last substantial holdouts fading in the early 2020s. If a manual Chevrolet is your goal, your best bet is to explore used Camaro options from prior model years.
