Fans of manual transmissions might want to grip their shift knobs tighter, as news of another loss has emerged. According to a leaked memo for workers at the Honda plant in Ontario, the company plans to “suspend” production of the Civic Si and Acura Integra A-Spec Tech with six-speed manuals after the end of the 2026 model year.
The reason for the pause is environmental regulations
The document, published on social media on July 22, states that the decision is related to changing circumstances surrounding the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations required for certifying 2027 model year vehicles and later. Honda is likely dropping trims that combine a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing 200 hp (203 PS) with a six-speed manual transmission.
This decision affects two of the last genuinely affordable “enthusiast” models with a manual transmission sold in America. Both are assembled at the Honda of Canada Manufacturing (HCM) plant in Alliston, Ontario. Currently, the Civic Si starts at $32,690 (including destination) in the US, while the Integra A-Spec Tech with a manual transmission costs $40,495.
Production won’t suffer, but a return isn’t guaranteed
The memo states that production volumes at HCM will not be reduced, as other trims will replace the canceled versions on the assembly line. Honda also plans to review this decision at some unspecified point in the future.
“As EPA regulations become clearer, Honda will assess how best to proceed with the affected trims,” the email reads, hinting at the possibility of their return.
And what about the Civic Type R?
The letter does not mention — and in this case, we hope no news is good news — whether the Civic Type R and its sibling, the Integra Type S, will be affected by EPA regulations. This pair is equipped with a 2.0-liter turbo engine and is available exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission.
For context, the Type R has already been pulled from sale in Europe due to stricter European environmental regulations, though those rules are unrelated to US legislation. We have reached out to Honda for clarification regarding the Si and Integra A-Spec, as well as to find out if the Type R remains in the company’s long-term plans. We will update the story when we receive a response.
Another blow to the “manual”
If this report is confirmed, it will be yet another blow for drivers who still enjoy shifting gears themselves. Honda is certainly not the first automaker to say goodbye to the “manual” in the US this year. Recently, Volkswagen removed the manual transmission option for the Jetta GLI, following similar moves with the Golf GTI and Golf R, citing low sales.
This trend suggests that even in the affordable sports car segment, the future lies with automated transmissions, which often provide better fuel efficiency and fit more easily into increasingly stringent environmental regulations. The loss of the manual-equipped Civic Si and Integra is not just the disappearance of two models, but a symbolic end to an entire era for car enthusiasts who value a direct connection with the vehicle. At the same time, Honda’s caveat about a possible review leaves a small glimmer of hope that, under favorable regulatory conditions, these models might yet return.