Automatic Transmissions Now Dominate New Car Sales in Czech Republic
In the first half of 2026, over half of all new cars sold in the Czech Republic were equipped with automatic transmissions. This represents a significant increase compared to 2019, according to data from the four largest market retailers. Brands like Toyota are now selling very few manual transmission vehicles, and Hyundai has nearly tripled its proportion of automatic sales since 2019. Škoda Auto and Volkswagen have both seen their automatic sales roughly double during the same period. Despite this clear market shift towards automatics, driving schools in the Czech Republic have been slow to adapt. The majority of driver training still utilizes manual transmission vehicles, with cars featuring automatic gearboxes remaining a relative rarity in driving school fleets.
The Czech automotive market is rapidly aligning with global trends favoring automatic transmissions, driven by consumer preference and manufacturer offerings. This shift highlights a divergence between new vehicle acquisition patterns and the established training methodologies in driving schools. The continued reliance on manual transmission instruction may present a future disconnect for new drivers entering a market where automatics are the norm. Driving schools face a strategic decision: invest in updating their fleets to reflect market realities, potentially increasing costs but better preparing students for contemporary driving, or maintain current practices, risking a gap in practical readiness for a significant portion of new drivers. This situation underscores the challenge of adapting educational infrastructure to rapid technological evolution in consumer goods.
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