Quote:
Originally Posted by HighlandPete
Quote:
Originally Posted by JoanLluch
To put things in context, manuals in Europe are not necessarily a synonym of "sport" cars, but quite the opposite. In fact all low to mid range cars from most brands are manuals with no option to automatic.
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So no manuals offered from European brands is simply lack of demand on their core market.
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Agree, here in the UK, MT was always viewed as the cheapest most efficient option. We paid extra for AT (if available), was less fuel efficient, = little demand for AT.
Once we got more efficient designs of AT and the cost issue for larger engines was less critical, the market moved and quite fast. To the point the dealers were finding it difficult to shift MT in a lot of models. Cars could sit for ages, due to little demand. Diesel also moved the goalposts. High torque outputs required a strong gearbox, plus AT suited the diesels better than MT for most users.
Add in driving aids, which require AT to function, the writing was on the wall for most models to drop MT, even where it had been an option.
The more users buy into driving assistance functions, MT becomes like the dinosaurs.
My observation, over many years, most M-car drivers also want all the bells and whistles, AT becomes even more essential as part of the package.
MT has its place for the enthusiast, but a business case it must pose a challenge. Most markets, it hasn't a chance anymore. |
Much like Porsche, BMW has a significant enough MT demand here in the states to make a case for it. Remember when Porsche killed the manual in the GT3 some years ago?!? The result was horrid for them. It returned pretty quickly after the lashing Porsche buyers gave the manufacturer. Porsche manuals are some of the most desirable cars on the market.