BMW Isn’t Abandoning Manuals Quite Yet: TDS
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Good morning and welcome to The Downshift, or TDS for short.
The Downshift serves as The Drive's morning recap of essential auto industry headlines. We summarize news in a few sentences, providing links for those interested in more in-depth information. The sun is bright outside my window, and I have a full cup of coffee at my desk. That's about all one can ask for on a Monday, so let's dive in.
⚙️ Although some at BMW believe that the manual transmission has lost its relevance, the company is working to maintain its presence in performance vehicles, according to M division vice president Sylvia Neubauer. The executive "promised a solution" to Automobilwoche (via Motor1), noting that engineers are exploring ways to keep the manual transmission viable despite increasing torque figures.
🏭 The Polestar 3 SUV is currently produced in Chengdu, China, and South Carolina, but CarBuzz reports that Polestar is planning to cease production in China, shifting all manufacturing to the U.S.
🥼 Honda is reinstating the R&D unit it had shut down at the start of the decade, aiming to bolster competition against Chinese manufacturers, according to Nikkei Asia. This division has achieved numerous milestones for the automaker over the years, such as developing the CVCC engine, which met U.S. emissions regulations in the '70s without requiring a catalytic converter.
😵💫 An interview with Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf in Automotive News revealed the company's strategy to boost Grand Wagoneer sales, confirming suspicions that customers perceived the Grand Wagoneer as a larger vehicle compared to the Wagoneer, similar to how the Grand Cherokee relates to the standard Cherokee. The non-Grand Wagoneer was discontinued late last year.
👔 Jean-Dominique Senard, chairman of Renault Group, has announced he will not seek reelection at the end of his term next year, according to Reuters via Auto News. Senard succeeded Carlos Ghosn as the company leader following Ghosn's arrest in 2018.
🛞 Mercedes-Benz is recalling around 3,500 G-Class electric SUVs due to potential loosening of wheel bolts, as reported by InsideEVs.
🏁 Weekend Race Results:
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Rockingham — William Sawalich took the victory for Joe Gibbs Racing.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Rockingham — Corey Heim won for Tricon Garage.
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BMW Isn’t Abandoning Manuals Quite Yet: TDS
A BMW executive "guarantees a resolution" to the issue of creating manuals capable of managing increasing torque levels.