From Buick on You Tube:

https://youtu.be/W6cTszYVCaw?si=Wa0R9pEB4x1KRe3A

I've always preferred pistol grip shifters on the center console. My 71 Cuda had a pistol grip four speed. My 71 Monte Carlo SS had the horseshoe shifter in the center console and my 2016 Expedition has the pistol grip shifter in the center console. Always preferred bucket seats as well.

Your transmission shifters haven't actually manually shifted the trans for years, all electronic, same with the throttle. Drive by wire

One of the reasons I bought my Nissan Titan was that the shift selector was on the steering column.
The number of auto reviews that claimed it was "outdated" or even ancient only made me want it more.
I didn't mind the console shifter in the Ford, but was not a fan of the GMC and Dodge options as they were decidedly less "truck-like" in interior feel.

Dodge has a dial on the dash, in my dad’s truck. I like it. Same functionality as a shifter, takes up less space, and is out of the way.

My work truck is five speed manual, stick on the floor (well center console) like it ought to be. The “family” truck is auto in the center console, wife’s car is auto in the center console, the ‘02 Sequoia that went from airport car where family live to the kids’ daily drive (and is now headed back there since both kids have bought their own cars) is auto on the column. If I drive that once or twice, then hop in the family truck, I automatically reach up to the column for the shifter. Almost all the automatics I drove growing up were on the column. The barn truck (a ratty wreck) at the stables where I worked for a while was a three on the tree, but most of my manual experience was floor shift trucks.

It seems (to me at least) that one can learn to work anything, but what one has most (or most recent) experience with seems to feel more “right” or “natural”. It seems that most all engineers have a bias to “make things better”. When that involves messing with the user interface, the customers don’t always see it as better.

quote:

Originally posted by fischtown7:
Just wait, pretty sure the next thing will be voice activated transmisson.

You could use your iPhone. "Siri, shift to reverse." "Siri, grade ahead. Downshift to 3rd gear."

quote:

Originally posted by Mark in Michigan:
From Buick on You Tube:

https://youtu.be/W6cTszYVCaw?si=Wa0R9pEB4x1KRe3A

Buick calls it "a new way". But is it really?

There were cars in the 50s and early 60s that used push button shifting. Mechanical instead of electronic yes, but still the same principle of pushing a button to shift.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by fischtown7:
Just wait, pretty sure the next thing will be voice activated transmisson.

You could use your iPhone. "Siri, shift to reverse." "Siri, grade ahead. Downshift to 3rd gear."

However Google Gemini AI will immediately countermand that order and put the transmission in what IT thinks is best.