The paper reports the review in the development of motor car gearbox design. The main task consists in the detection of the reasons for changes in gearbox design for the definition of the field for gearbox substantiated application in motor car design. In the main part the advantages and shortcomings of manual, automated, infinitely variable and automatic gearboxes are under consideration. There are shown and analyzed functional diagrams of gearbox designs considered. In the conclusion it is pointed out that the most promising design of a gearbox is a robot gearbox with two clutches allowing the assurance of the absence of power flow break; the smoothness of gear shifts and smoothness of motion; comfort of control; high fuel efficiency; high tractiondynamic characteristics.