Ford CEO says stick shifts aren't going away — and points to an unlikely fan: the Pope

Automakers are rejigging their stick shift lineups. Ford CEO Jim Farley told Business Insider he's committed to making manuals. Zak Mauger/LAT Images 2026-03-27T16:51:14.203Z Share Copy link Email Facebook WhatsApp X LinkedIn Bluesky Threads lighning bolt icon An icon in the shape of a lightning bolt.

Impact Link Save Saved Read in app Loading audio narration... This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Become an Insider and start reading now. Have an account? Log in. Ford's CEO says the company will keep building manual cars as long as enthusiasts demand them. The CEO said he's gotten great feedback on Ford's stick shift products — including from the Pope. Car companies are rapidly shifting their manual lineups. The US only has a handful of options left. AI-generated summary Summaries are generated by an AI model trained on Business Insider's articles. AI may make mistakes or provide inaccurate/incomplete information. We're unable to load that answer right now. Please try again. Why are manuals still popular? What is the future of manual cars? What is Ford's strategy for manual cars? How do manuals enhance driving experience? How do automakers decide on transmission types? Ford CEO Jim Farley says cars with three pedals and a stick shift still have a sacred place in the Detroit automaker's lineup. "We offer manual because some people really love driving them. They love being connected to the car," Farley said in a statement Ford shared exclusively with Business Insider.Farley's comments underscore a broader divide in the auto industry: As performance cars become faster and more technologically advanced, some automakers are moving away from manual transmissions altogether, while others are holding on to them for a shrinking, but passionate, audience. Ford's cross-town rival, General Motors, is firmly in the first camp. GM stopped offering a manual Corvette when it introduced its current mid-engine model in 2020.Citing years of slowing demand, executives have shown little interest in bringing the clutch back. "We don't have any plans to talk about a manual transmission," Tony Roma, GM's executive chief engineer for performance cars, said in an interview at the 12 Hours of Sebring. "The car is faster and essentially better with the transmission that we make." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Christian (@wheelr_) A GM spokesperson didn't immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Ford, by contrast, has continued to offer manual options in enthusiast vehicles like the Mustang GT, Mustang Dark Horse, and the off-road SUV Bronco."As long as customers care that deeply, we're going to keep building them," Farley said. Farley said his recent trip to Vatican City cemented his belief in the driver-controlled transmission."When I met Pope Leo, he shared a great story about owning a manual Fusion earlier in his life," Farley said. "That tells you something — this isn't nostalgia. It's about engagement. They are fun." Across the industry, the number of manual options is shrinking. Only 24 model-year 2026 vehicles in the US offer a manual transmission, according to a recent count by Dub Magazine — and that list is still going through major changes.This month, Toyota and BMW are discontinuing the Supra and Z4 sports cars, including their manual trims. Meanwhile, Nissan's redesigned Z gets a standard option for 2027.