Earlier this month, we brought attention to the fact that GM manual transmissions are currently sold in just two models here in the U.S., namely the Chevrolet Spark and the Chevrolet Camaro. However, looking at the five biggest markets in South America, we find the situation is much, much different.
The 2020 Chevrolet Onix offers a GM manual transmission in South American markets.
Indeed, GM manual transmissions are plentiful in South America, with upwards of nine different models offering a stick shift, depending on the market. Chile has the most, with the following models offering three pedals:
- Chevrolet Beat (second-gen Chevrolet Spark)
- Chevrolet Captiva
- Chevrolet Cavalier
- Chevrolet Joy / Chevrolet Onix (old) / Chevrolet Prisma
- Chevrolet N400
- Chevrolet S10 / Chevrolet D-Max / Chevrolet Colorado
- Chevrolet Sail
- Chevrolet Spin
- Chevrolet Tracker (sold in North America as Chevrolet Trax)
Meanwhile, Ecuador offers 8 models with a manual, Brazil and Argentina both offer seven, and Colombia offers six.
The various GM manual transmissions on offer include both five-speed and six-speed units.
| Argentina | Brazil | Colombia | Ecuador | Chile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beat (Second-Gen Spark) | Model not available | Model not available | M5 | M5 | M5 |
| Blazer | Model not available | Model not available | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Bolt EV | Model not available | Automatic | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available |
| Camaro | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Model not available | Automatic |
| Captiva | Model not available | Model not available | Automatic | M6 | M6 |
| Cavalier | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | M5 | M5 |
| Cruze | M6 | M6 | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available |
| Equinox | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Joy / Old Onix / Prisma | M5 | M6 | M5 | Model not available | M5 |
| Montana | M5 | M5 | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available |
| N300 | Model not available | Model not available | M5 | M5 | Model not available |
| N400 | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | M5 |
| Onix / New Onix | M5 | M6 | M5 | M5 | Model not available |
| S10 / D-Max / Colorado | M6 | M6 | M6 | M5 | M6 |
| Sail | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | M5 | M5 |
| Silverado | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | Automatic |
| Spin | M5 | M6 | Model not available | Model not available | M5 |
| Suburban | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available | Automatic |
| Tahoe | Model not available | Model not available | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Tracker (American Trax) | M5 | Model not available | M5 | M5 | M5 |
| New Tracker | Model not available | M6 | Model not available | Model not available | Model not available |
| Trailblazer BOF SUV | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Traverse | Model not available | Model not available | Automatic | Model not available | Automatic |
| Total | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 9 |
- M5 = five-speed manual, M6 = six-speed manual
Looking over the list, there are a few interesting tidbits worth pointing out. For example, in those South American markets that offer the Chevrolet Camaro, the sports car is only offered with an automatic transmission.
This may seem odd to U.S. readers, given our natural association between the Camaro and GM manual transmissions. After all, who doesn’t want to row their own in a Chevy-branded sports car?
Well, as it turns out, customer perceptions of a stick shift are different in South America. Whereas U.S. buyers tend to associate manual transmissions with performance, South American buyers associate manuals with lower-class, basic equipment, the sort of thing one would buy because it’s cheap. At the same time, buyers in those markets also see automatic transmissions as sporty, cool, and high-class, an association underlined by the fact that upper end models are typically the only models to offer an automatic transmission, as is the case with the Camaro.
Does the plethora of GM manual transmissions offered in South America surprise you? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for ongoing GM news coverage.
Comments
Price probably plays a role as a 9-speed or 10-speed automatic has to be more expensive and complex to service than a 5- or 6-speed manual; then, the population are taught to drive a manual while everyone in the United States is taught only to drive an automatic.
Manuals were always though of as cheaper basic equipment here too. The stripped down models of nearly everything had a stick shift not too long ago. And yes, especially if the the car was a rwd V8, it also meant more performance too. At the same time it made the 4cyl economy cars more fun to drive as well.
Manuals are the way to go, take a small engine and then add some fun to it, I have had them in every car I have owned except for MiniVans and the newer CUV. Been looking for a nice compact with a manual but GM doesn’t sell them anymore. My next car would have been the Cruze with the M6 but that was discontinued and then eliminated the M6 on the Sonic, now I don’t know what to get. Why don’t they bring some of those cars up to US standards and see what happens.
Modern automatics are nearly as efficient as manuals. Vehicles with both trans available, the auto may only be 1 MPG different less than a manual. Euro loves manuals because efficiency is more important because of very high fuel cost but that I believe is changing since automatics are much better than 50 years ago. Automakers prefer one trans. Everyone can drive an automatic, for manuals Trans, many are scared of it at least in the USA. Besides, it’s harder to drive a manual while trying to drink your morning coffee.