BMW M division head, Frank van Meel, stated earlier this year that the manual transmission “lacked engineering sense.” However, this doesn’t signify a complete abandonment of manual transmissions by the brand. According to the division’s interim president, BMW is not yet prepared to discontinue manual transmissions entirely. Nevertheless, increasingly stringent emissions regulations could accelerate the demise of the manual gearbox.
Automakers are currently competing to meet stricter regulations and avoid substantial fines for exceeding emission targets. The pressure to reduce emissions is intensifying, forcing manufacturers to prioritize fuel efficiency and explore alternative technologies. This situation is particularly impacting models equipped with manual transmissions, as the inherent limitations of the gearbox make it more challenging to meet increasingly demanding environmental standards.
BMW is carefully evaluating the situation, balancing the desire to maintain a connection to the brand’s heritage with the need to comply with evolving regulations.
