BMW M cars to discontinue manual gearbox & offer automatics only

"If you want a manual M, you need to buy it now."

According to a media report, BMW could soon discontinue offering manual transmissions on their M performance models.

Frank Weber, Board Member of BMW, stated, "It's over", referring to the future of manual transmission BMW M models. Weber mentioned that the reason for BMW M cars to become automatic-only has to do with money and demand. Reports state how customers prefer automatics far more than manuals, relegating manual transmissions to only a small niche.

Weber stated, "They are fun products, but let’s be honest, the volumes are getting smaller and smaller, and so it doesn’t make sense to develop them anymore." He also added, "If you want a manual M, you need to buy it now."

Source: Quattroruote