Mercedes discontinues manual transmissions in its cars.
This is due to the declining demand for this type of vehicle and the beginning of the electric vehicle era.
Although a feature that was popular in the past, manual transmissions are on the verge of extinction. Recently, many automakers have been trying to bring manual transmissions back. Toyota recently announced that the Supra will be equipped with a manual transmission, and Nissan is also offering the Nissan Z model a similar option.
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However, overall, manual transmissions won't last much longer in the automotive world. The era of electrification is rapidly approaching, and with the increasing demand for self-shifting vehicles, more and more manufacturers are choosing to eliminate manual shifting entirely.
The latest major player to join the trend is Mercedes-Benz, according to a report by Automobilwoche. The German automaker told the publication that there is no place for manual transmissions in the brand's future.
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This is expected to happen in 2023, a company spokesperson said, noting that the shift to fully automatic transmissions is driven by strong demand for electrified products. "With the increase in car electrification, we are seeing customer demand shifting toward battery and electric powertrains."
Mercedes-Benz in the United States effectively discontinued manual transmissions in 2015. However, in Germany, the base CLA-Class model still offers a manual transmission. In 2020, the luxury automaker also stated that it would "completely eliminate manual transmissions."
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Historically, Mercedes-Benz has never fully mastered the technology of manufacturing and applying manual transmissions. It's certainly not the worst feature on their vehicles, but from models like the W123 and W124, owners often described their transmissions as rather difficult to use and control. Furthermore, the German automaker also aims for a luxurious and convenient user experience for passengers, so having to manually shift gears seems inappropriate.
What the demise of manual transmissions signals is that the automotive industry is changing rapidly. However, there is still hope for enthusiasts of this feature in the future, as patents show that Toyota is researching manual transmissions for electric vehicles.
