Audi stops offering manual transmissions
 

https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/1131578002

Interesting quote in there too:

To my knowledge, the BRZ (and FRS/86) always came with the option of an automatic.

That quote about the manual is either poorly worded or just wrong. Last I read the BRZ/FRS/86 had a 60% manual take rate. But that could have swung to be more autos in the latest generation with the release of the GT trim. My local Toyota dealers' website shows 3 GT models and they all have autos.

As for Audi dropping the manual, meh. Merc did that a long time ago. BMW has been reducing its availability. I'm on the BMW website and I see at the end of the 3-series build you can get the manual as the "performance option" for no cost, so I doubt they sell many of them.

The ZF 8 spd in all of these German cars get so much praise for being so damn good. It makes sense that consumers have trended in that direction.

Probably really poor wording as mentioned. Might have meant to say that the BRZ always had drastically higher manual sales, though it doesn't sound like it when using the word "only."

I've said this before, but the reason autos tend to sell better is because that's what dealers usually order. Let's say a dealer orders 8 autos and 2 manuals. The manuals disappear, and 5 of the autos sit on the lot. Joe Average walks in, and while he prefers a manual, he's okay with an auto. So that's what he settles for because that's what's available. He doesn't want to wait for the dealer to order a car. He wants it now.

With BMW/Audi, people that don't really know how to drive are drawn to the marques solely because of the badge. They don't really care what engine it has (and a lot of times they actually have no idea) or what transmission it comes with.

So much BS in that quotation...

we're living in dark times friends, brace yourselves

I disagree. The interest in manuals from other countries is cost, motivation and ability. We don’t see a cost savings anymore because autos sell in huge volumes, so it is worked into the price. In other countries a person can save $1500-2500 by getting the manual. We are also not motivated to move. We are fat and lazy, and we enjoy our conveniences. We can’t eat, take selfies or text in our cars as well when having to shift gears, so only purists are motivated enough to get a manual. And people lack the ability. Many don’t know how to drive a stick, or they physically can’t because of disability, pain, obesity, etc. I’m sure there are a few buyers that settle for an automatic, but not at the rate you are claiming, not anything significant.

It would differ from car to car obviously, but since this particular platform was marketed with the manual crowd in mind, I would think there is an impact. Out of the 3 dealers I called when I was looking around, absolutely none had a manual car. I had to request one and they did a dealer trade. I imagine if I was willing to go either way, I would have just settled for the auto. And you do see threads like that here at times. "I bought an auto and regret it, what would be the financial loss if I traded for a manual?"

#savethemanuals


My mom refused to upgrade her Z4 for the latest model because they dropped the manual option so she went and got a 6-sp Boxter.

Manual transmissions make up 70-80% of cars in many European countries. The disparity can’t be explained by availability. More like demand has dictated availability. If it was the case that manuals were so desired then all manuals would be sold out, and manufactures would take notice. This is coming from a guy who has almost exclusively owned manuals. Facts are facts.

The last figure I heard was that new autos in the US were ~98% automatic or something like that. They're a premium feature now and only on certain limited edition, non-luxury cars. It hasn't been a viable option on Crossovers, Trucks, and SUVs for years.

Long live the manual.:brokenheart:

Except they do sell a few manuals on Jeeps, low end crossovers and on like the full range of Tacomas, besides niche sports cars.

100% cars come with manuals. They're usually in the glove box.

I'm sorry - just thought a Dad joke would salve the pain.