Manual Handbrakes Disappearing in U.K.

Source: CarGurus.co.uk announcement

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — According to CarGurus’ fifth-annual instalment of the Manual Handbrake Report, manufacturers are continuing the switch to the electronic handbrake at pace, with models offering a manual handbrake falling to 13 percent in 2022, compared to 17 percent in 2021, 20 percent in 2020, 30 percent in 2019 and 37 percent in 2018.

Household names such as BMW and Peugeot have dropped the manual handbrake all together over the past year.

The BMW X1, M230i xDrive Coupe and M4 Convertible have all now been fitted with an electronic parking brake while Peugeot has discontinued its only manual-handbrake product, the 108 city car.

In addition, the Citroen C1 and Nissan Micra, both of which featured a manual handbrake, have been discontinued in the U.K. in the last 12 months.

Meanwhile, Audi continues to offer a manual handbrake on 1% of its models, while Vauxhall has dropped more than 40 percent of its manual handbrake vehicles, with models such as the Combo Life and Vivaro Life facing an electric facelift in 2022 and the removal of the manual handbrake.

Abarth remains the one manufacturer to offer manual handbrakes across its product portfolio.

Chris Knapman, editor at CarGurus UK, said: “The fifth instalment of our Manual Handbrake Report shows the number of new models featuring a traditional handbrake has continued to fall.

“The discontinuation of some well-known models, along with the increasing prevalence of EVs, has contributed to the four percent drop over the last 12 months.

“Since 2018, we have seen a fall of 24% in the number of new cars being fitted with a manual handbrake. It was always likely that the expected 2030 ban in sales of new petrol and diesel cars would spell the end of the manual handbrake – the question now is whether it can even last until then.”

About CarGurus, Inc.:

Founded in 2006 by TripAdvisor co-founder, Langley Steinert, CarGurus, Inc. (Nasdaq: CARG) is a global, online automotive marketplace that uses proprietary technology and data analytics to connect buyers and sellers of cars. The company launched CarGurus.co.uk in 2015 and acquired U.K.-based PistonHeads.com in 2019. CarGurus operates CarGurus UK and PistonHeads as distinct consumer brands, with combined dealership sales operations.

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