Aussie UniClutch advanced technology aimed at the US Stick Shift Mod market

A 70-year-old Australian clutch company is adding two new products just six months after first entering the US market. At face value, it’s a strange move UniClutch Industries at a time when consumers have abandoned all manual transmission vehicles, which require clutches, in favor of increasingly automated cars and trucks that sometimes drive themselves.

Actually it is one perfect time, according to

UniClutch Industries CEO Brad Davis, who agrees that overall demand and production of stick shift vehicles is low in the US, but, he says, demand is particularly high in one particular segment.

“There aren’t a lot of cars being built with a stick shift, but there’s a huge, huge multi-100 million dollar aftermarket in the U.S. for performance clutches for people who want to have fun,” Davis said in an interview. “So from your mind cars, even from car companies like Volkswagen, we are now introducing the Mark 8G Golf GTI manual in North America only. Honda has now launched the new manual-only Honda Civic Si in North America only. So it’s great to see the US market still demanding that car companies give them something fun to drive.”

Indeed, there are only between 30 and 32 models offered with manual transmissions, according to Brian Moody, executive editor of popular car research and buying websites Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader. The take rate is only about 1.7%, up from 1%, Moody said, but that’s still a small slice of the market.

However, he believes UniClutch’s entry into the US market to address the performance segment makes sense.

“Cars today, their performance credentials and power are much higher,” Moody observed in an interview. “If you had 10-year-old clutch technology, let’s just say you’re looking at some of the cars today that make 400, 500, 600, 700 or 800 horsepower. It makes sense that you would want a solution for that so you can keep these cars running longer.”

UniClutch’s twist on the component is that it is designed as a sealed clutch pack that can be mounted on any vehicle’s flywheel, eliminating a lot of time and cost associated with clutch replacement.

“It makes the clutch itself a single modular piece that fits almost any car, and then we have a number of mounting kits that allow you to connect mechanically,” Davis explained.

Additionally, the ability to fit the UniClutch to many different vehicles using the mounting kits means that parts dealers are not required to stock as many different parts, reducing costs and shelf space, Davis points out.

The UniClutch entered the US market last October with two models: the UniClutch, which will replace the original clutch, and the UniClutch Sport, which features 15% higher torque capacity and a sporty pedal feel.

The company will introduce two additional models on March 5: UniClutch Track, for racing cars and UniClutch 4Terrain, designed for 4×4 off-road.

The UniClutch Track is particularly aimed at increasingly popular drift racing that punishes clutches that require car owners to replace them frequently, Davis said. But this particular model is also aimed at a wide variety of road and track races.

“Essentially, all of these different forms of motorsports are going to benefit from the UniClutch Track and because it’s so much cheaper, you know, when it’s constantly wearing out, because that’s what it is,” Davis said. “It’s quicker, quicker installation because they don’t have to replace that flywheel. That way you save a lot of time and money.”

Currently, UniClutch is available exclusively on NAPA dealers in the US and from March 5^uNAPA Canada as well, according to Davis.

Despite the small number of manual transmission vehicles on the market, a NAPA executive says partnering with UniClutch as its exclusive U.S. distributor was an easy decision.

“The adaptable design of the clutch system can accommodate multiple vehicles, which simplifies inventory management, speeds up clutch replacement time and reduces common installation issues – this is a win-win for the aftermarket, with significant benefits for auto technicians, parts distributors and consumers,” said Danny Huffaker, senior vice president, category management at NAPA in emailed remarks.

It may have taken UniClutch 70 years to try its luck in the US, but Davis is confident that this jump to the Pacific is a clutch move, stating, “It’s just a great market. It’s huge, huge. It is a more than $500 million performance clutch market in America. I mean, a small piece of that very large pie is absolutely worth getting in.”

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