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Automatic transmissions are now more popular than manual transmissions on new tractors, although they are still being largely ignored by the distribution sector. Daf says its AS-Tronic offering is now specified in 50% of all XFs, and 40% of CF85 fleet tractors. However, its popularity diminishes as you move down the weight range, and its acceptance in LF is currently just 10%.

Daf's marketing director Tony Pain believes this is down to rental companies' reluctance to push it. "However,  all of a sudden they will realise its benefits and sales will really take off," he predicts. It's a similar story at Renault Trucks, where roughly half of Premiums and Magnums are specified with the Optidriver gearbox. But this figure falls to just 5% in the Midlum and lighter Premiums.

MAN is the only manufacturer to make auto transmissions a delete option across the entire range (tippers excluded). This year only 5% of TGA buyers chose to opt for the cheaper manual gearbox. Iveco has made them standard on the Stralis, and says 100% of customers are happy to select it. Despite jointly developing AS-Tronic with ZF, curiously it is yet to offer a version in its Eurocargo range.

Based on deliveries this year, 65% of all Volvo FM/FH and FH16 trucks were specified with an I-Shift transmission. Although sister company Renault Trucks offers an automated manual ZF gearbox in its lighter truck range, Volvo says it is not about to follow suit with its FL and FE range. But it does  offer the Allison full-automatic gearbox, which accounts for 10% of sales.

Mercedes-Benz reports that automatic gearboxes are specified in 34% of Actros, 13% of Axor and 8% of Atego orders. But it expects this figure to grow rapidly in 2008 when it becomes standard in the Actros range. Scania says 100% of long-distance tractors have been specified with its Opticruise transmission since it was made standard. The Nees2 gearbox is standard in the Isuzu NQR, and appeals to 70% of buyers.