Long live the CVT: Why the MT option died with the facelifted 2021 Proton Persona and Iriz

Perhaps the most notable thing many people noticed about the launch of the 2021 Proton Persona and Proton Iriz facelifts is that there is no manual option for both models anymore. Needless to say, some are up in arms about this. 

It's pretty clear by now that I am a proponent of the manual transmission, but I am also a proponent of any good transmissions, even if it's a self-shifting one. But I digress. 

What I'm here to discuss today is, why did Proton jettison the manual variants of the Persona and Iriz with the MC2 facelift? Let's get to the bottom of it.

Also read: Priced from RM 45k, CVT-only 2021 Proton Persona facelift (MC2) launched, MT dropped

The #savethemanuals campaigner who is all talk

Almost every time, when a car is launched, the first question that pops out is, "Does it come with a manual? What?! Automatic-only? YAWN." Sounds familiar? Or, "If this car came with a manual, I'd definitely buy one."

The very same person making these comments, will then proceed to buy a new, automatic-transmissioned car. Why? Excuses like "KL traffic jam is bad," or "my wife / girlfriend / mistress / father / mother needs to drive the car too," to even "I'm getting old, let the young ones buy the manuals."

Also read: I love the manual transmission but I don’t see the point in buying one

Ridiculous, the buck stops with each buyer. The younger generation are no longer as interested in cars as some of us born earlier. To them, a car is an appliance, not something that brings them joy. Why do you think driving schools now have automatic-transmission learner's cars?

Also read: Millennials say car culture is for old people, who is to be blamed?

That's right, many now can't be bothered with driving, let alone to be shifting their own gears. They wanna obtain a driving license that allows them to get in the car, pull down a stick, and move off.

So you see, just talking and having idealistic sentiments does not translate to sales for carmakers. And they are getting sick of people lobbying for cars with manual transmissions only for them to grow mold in the stockyard. Case in point, the 2021 Proton Persona and Proton Iriz facelifts. 

Also read: Here's why the manual transmission still matters

Why are manuals dying? The answer is really simple

No one is buying them. Or close to no one is. WapCar.my asked Proton for a percentage in sales of the manual Persona and Iriz, when people could still buy one. Proton's answer? THREE PERCENT of all Proton Personas sold were manuals. The Proton Iriz? Yup, three percent also.

Also Read:  CVTs - not all are good, not all are bad. Find out who makes the best CVT.

Mind you, these figures are for both 2019 AND 2020. Out of 46,000 Proton Personas sold in this time, only 1,400 units were manuals. That's a commercial disaster. Can you blame Proton for saying sayonara to the manual options?

If the manual variants were selling well, why on earth would Proton scrap it from the line-up? That's pretty logical thinking right?

That's the most galling part: Proton actually had faith that there would be buyers for the manual variants, only to be crushed by people who talked more with their mouths than their wallets.

You can picket all you want. You can moan till the cows come home. Ultimately, you don't get to complain about carmakers not offering a manual variant if you don't actually go out and buy one. Put it simply, you, the buyer are the problem. 

Also read: Priced from RM 40k, 2021 Proton Iriz MC2 facelift launched alongside crossover-like Active

Conclusion

Yes, I know, I know. The CVT transmission is the worst thing ever to an automotive enthusiast (at least according to the many internet comments). However, as evidenced by the sales data, the CVT transmission is the best thing ever to Proton's bean counters.

We have to understand, Proton is a business, not a charity. It doesn't survive on good sentiments of #savethemanuals enthusiasts. Proton exists to sell cars. And the CVT-equipped Proton Persona and Proton Iriz command 97% share of the sales, for two years running. It's a no-brainer really.

Also read: 4AT vs CVT: Two steps forward, one step back?