Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few decades, you'll be aware of the manual transmission's demise, with automakers favouring automatic and dual-clutch transmissions at an alarming rate.
Late last year, Audi waved goodbye to the manual transmission, and Mercedes-Benz is following in its German counterpart's footsteps as no one seems to be buying them anymore.
The head of @MercedesBenz's R&D operations, Markus Schaefer, has confirmed the company will "eliminate manual transmissions" as part of cost-cutting initiatives that will also see a "substantial reduction in platforms" and a "very dramatic reduction in combustion engines". pic.twitter.com/Ukm5AqP7hz
— Greg Kable (@GregKable) October 6, 2020
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Mercedes-Benz's chief of R&D, Markus Schafer recently revealed that the company would "eliminate manual transmissions" for a multitude of reasons, including streamlining production, and cutting costs.
Alongside the manual transmission's demise, the German brand is also moving towards complete electrification, with Schafer also mentioning a "very dramatic reduction in combustion engines."
News of this will come as more of a surprise to Mercedes' European customers than anyone else, as we can't even remember the last time that a manual transmission was offered in one of its cars here in New Zealand.
Even in the Mercedes-Benz motherland, the models that are offered with three pedals are extremely limited, with the only manual model offered in the UK being the A-Class.
This shouldn't come as a shock to anyone, but highlights how enthusiast-driven BMW is. While it's only coming to New Zealand with a DCT, the new M3 and M4 pair will be offered with a manual transmission in foreign markets, and yes, that includes that awesome new wagon.