No More Audi Cars with Manual Transmissions for the American Market
The company Audi has decided to finally give up on manufacturing of cars equipped with a manual transmission for the US market due to sluggish demand. It is currently reported that the Audi vehicle line won’t include a single car with the manual transmission.
Audi A4 Manual quattro
Today, admirers of cars with manual transmissions in the US still can purchase two Audi models with manual transmissions – sedan Audi A4 and two-door coupe Audi A5. But it is worth mentioning that the consumer demand for these models does not exceed 5%. This state of affairs is economically unviable for the automaker; therefore no one should be surprised by the decision to move on without manual transmissions. Next year, A4 and A5 models will be available only with automatic transmissions.
Learn why American customers
ignore cars with manual transmissions
Moreover, the price for Audi A4 with the manual transmission
equals to 40.5 thousand dollars, while the model with the automated
transmission can be acquired for 36 thousand dollars, because it is available
with the front-wheel drive.
It could not be said that Audi is the only company which took this path. For example, Lamborghini stopped producing models with the manual transmission since the time of Gallardo model production. Bentley and Bugatti also do not offer car with manual transmissions any more. However, not all automakers are ready to give up on manual transmissions. For example, Porsche even developed a new manual transmission for its 911 model. Volkswagen also installs manual transmissions on Golf and Jetta models. It should be also reminded that Mercedes-Benz, a direct competitor of Audi, stopped producing cars with manual transmissions two years ago. Thus, BMW remains the only German premium-brand which will continue installing manual transmissions in models of the 2-,3-,4-,6-series next year.
