‘A lost art.’ Bergen Stick Shift School hopes to cash in on manual driving trend
Gary Spivack is among those betting on a revival. He runs Bergen Stick Shift School, and rentals, in North Jersey, offering lessons and rentals focused on manual vehicles.
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Manual transmission driving is gaining new traction among younger drivers and car enthusiasts – and one Bergen County man is hoping to drive it forward.
Industry projections show sales of manual transmission vehicles are expected to quadruple by 2035, with year-over-year increases already recorded since 2019. While automatics still dominate the market, some believe the stick shift is far from obsolete.
Gary Spivack is among those betting on a revival. He runs Bergen Stick Shift School, and rentals, in North Jersey, offering lessons and rentals focused on manual vehicles.
“It’s a lost art, but it is coming back,” Spivack said.
Spivack said younger drivers, particularly Gen Z, are showing more interest in manual driving, like many “retro” items and activities. He says there’s plenty of benefits, including better focus behind the wheel.
“My child has ADHD, and now, when they drive it, they feel engaged, they have to do something so it keeps them concentrated on driving,” he said.
Beyond focus, Spivack said manual driving offers practical benefits, including improved fuel efficiency and convenience for travelers in countries where automatic vehicles are less common.
Still, he acknowledged that enjoyment plays a major role too.
“It’s a lot more exciting, you get to accelerate quicker, you get to make turns and feel more in control, it’s a more pleasurable driving experience,” he said.
