BMW is on the verge of phasing out the manual transmission, according to board member Frank Weber, who recently said that the days of the iconic stick shift are numbered. Frank Weber, has told the Italian magazine Quattroruote (via Jalopnik) company’s days of building vehicles with a manual gearbox are coming to an end. The executive went as far as to tell the publication that, “It’s over.”
Despite its loyal following among car enthusiasts, Weber noted that the diminishing sales of manual models no longer justify the development costs for the automaker. With brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi already moving away from manual gearboxes, it seems BMW is heading in the same direction.
While Weber didn’t provide a specific timeline, his comments suggest that those who still value the tactile engagement of manual driving should act quickly, as this era of automotive history may soon come to a close.