Alfred Horner Munro invented the first automatic transmission in 1921. According to an article on CNN.com, General Motors released the first car with automatic transmission, the 1940 Oldsmobile Hydra-Matic. By 1957, 82.7% of American-made cars were built with automatic transmissions.

Cars with manual transmissions have traditionally been more fuel-efficient and are typically cheaper as well, however, only about 4% of car sales in recent years have been for vehicles with this type of transmission.

In his latest installment of Street Smarts, SafeAuto Insurance spokesman, comedian Norm Macdonald stresses this fact with the statistic that 9 out of 10 drivers prefer an automatic transmission to a manual transmission. Norm tells viewers another interesting statistic in his video pertaining to the fact that American’s are lazy. 

While Norm is using humor in his punch line about laziness, Daniel from Sweatingthebigstuff.com actually thinks there might be some truth to this. According to his blog post, Daniel states, “Because of all the new technology we have, we’re considered lazy Americans.” Do you feel that American’s are lazy? Tweet us your thoughts on the subject to our Twitter handle, @SafeAuto!

Spring time makes people think about the flowers and trees blossoming as well as the temperature rising. Cleaning out the home, also referred to as “spring cleaning,” is tied closely with this time of year as well. That’s why Norm Macdonald is cleaning out his fake closet for the ‘Norm’s Stuff Giveaway’ contest!

That’s right, Norm’s fake closet, where he stores his junk, such as his shoehorn and old holiday sweater, desperately need to go. That’s why Norm is giving Facebook fans of SafeAuto Insurance the chance to win his hand-me-downs! And there are definitely some hidden gems in Norm’s closet.

By entering the ‘Norm Stuff Giveaway’ contest on SafeAuto’s Facebook page, you will be entered to win an iPad, Beats Headphones, a Norm Macdonald signed photo, a SafeAuto Roadside Assistance Kit, a Sony Digital Camera and much more! All you need to do is CLICK HERE to enter.

Norm thought giving away the shoehorn was a generous enough gift for SafeAuto’s social following. Little did he know that a representative from SafeAuto would spot the iPad, headphones and digital camera in the back of his closet. The contest will begin on April 1, 2013, and run through June 1, 2013. Be sure to enter today (Before Norm changes his mind)!

With over 390,000 votes for her SafeAuto jingle (an all-time record), Ayanna Lewis, of Hamilton, Ohio is this year’s grand-prize winner of the annual Do The Jingle contest. This year, the Do The Jingle competition received over 3 million votes (another all-time record!). Ayanna will receive $5,000 and a role in a SafeAuto commercial for coming in first place.

Ayanna could not be more excited about winning the contest and getting to take part in a commercial for the state minimum auto insurance company. “I am beyond excited. I’m ecstatic,” Ayanna exclaims. “I just have so many friends and family, neighbors, my kids, my husband, we’re all just excited and we can’t wait to just be able to share our jingle. I’ve never had anything like this happen for me before.”

Ayanna’s jingle will be featured in a SafeAuto commercial in the near future. The spot will air throughout the country in different markets where SafeAuto Insurance offers state minimum auto insurance. Check out Ayanna’s most recent interview (video above) to get the full scoop and see how she feels about being the newest SafeAuto commercial star!