Driver Preference for Automatic or Manual Transmission Systems for Vehicles: A Case Study in Ghana

Abstract

Systems in vehicles are being modified due to current technological trends. One of the commonest modified systems in vehicles was the transmission system. This study presented    views of drivers on preference for automatic or manual transmission vehicles in Ghana.   In all, data was collected from 1260 drivers selected randomly through survey, in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions. The study indicated that manual transmission vehicles were more in Ghana with the automatic now gaining relative patronage. However, automatic transmission vehicles were preferred by females than males. The first three factors that determined preference for automatic transmission were shifting quality, easy to use and power (engine) performance. However, for manual transmission vehicles repairability (easily reparable), reliability and better fuel economy were the first three factors that determined driver’s choice for such vehicles. The results further showed that most respondents believed that manual transmission vehicles had strong advantages over the automatic ones. The study concludes that more people prefer manual transmission vehicles than the automatic ones although the automatic ones are now gaining popularity.

Key words:Automatic transmission, Manual Transmission, Vehicles, Preference, Ghana