BMW M Boss: Manual Transmissions Are Fading Fast

Wouter Smit · 2026-02-19

Frank van Meel, the CEO of BMW M, recently shared a sentiment that's hitting gearheads right in the feels. He said he'd love to keep the manual transmission for as long as possible, but reality is a bit harsher than that. It's a quiet admission that echoes through the automotive world. The era of rowing your own gears is winding down, and even the performance purists at BMW M can't stop the shift. ### Why Are Manual Transmissions Disappearing? It's not about a lack of love. Engineers and driving enthusiasts adore the direct connection a manual gearbox provides. The problem is a perfect storm of market forces. First, take a look at the sales numbers. Less than 2% of new cars sold in the U.S. last year had a manual option. When you're building high-performance machines that cost over $80,000, dedicating engineering resources and production line space for a 2% take rate becomes a tough business case. Then there's the performance argument. Modern automatic and dual-clutch transmissions are simply faster. They can shift in milliseconds, keeping the engine in its power band better than any human ever could. For a brand like BMW M, where tenths of a second matter on a track, the manual becomes a nostalgic choice, not a performance one. - **Consumer Demand:** The vast majority of buyers now prefer the convenience of an automatic. - **Regulatory Pressure:** Meeting strict fuel economy and emissions standards is easier with advanced automatics. - **Cost Complexity:** Developing two drivetrains for one model is expensive. - **Electric Future:** The rise of EVs, which have no traditional transmission, seals the fate.  ### What Does This Mean for Driving Enthusiasts? It feels like we're losing a language. The clutch pedal, the gear lever, the heel-toe downshift—these are tactile skills that connect the driver to the machine in a unique way. Driving a manual isn't just about getting from point A to point B; it's an active, engaging experience. There's a real fear that as these cars vanish, so does a certain type of driver's car. The ones that demanded your attention and rewarded your skill. But here's the thing. The market has spoken. Most people view driving as a chore, not a passion. They want comfort, technology, and seamless acceleration in stop-and-go traffic that stretches for miles. The manual transmission, for all its charm, doesn't fit that modern reality. As one industry insider put it, "We're building for the customers we have, not the enthusiasts we wish we had." ### Is There Any Hope for the Stick Shift? In the short term, yes—but in very niche places. We'll likely see manuals survive as a special-order option or on limited-run, high-dollar collector cars. Think of it like a vinyl record in the age of streaming. It won't be the mainstream way to listen to music, but aficionados will seek it out and pay a premium for the experience. Some brands might keep it alive as a brand halo, a symbol of their racing heritage, even if it doesn't make strict financial sense. For the average person shopping for a new performance sedan or SUV, the choice will already be made. The future is automatic, dual-clutch, and eventually, single-speed electric. The joy of a manual will become something you experience at a classic car show or on a curated track day, not on your daily commute. It's a bittersweet transition, but van Meel's honesty just makes it official. The clock is ticking, and the sound of a missed shift is growing fainter every year.