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I predict that within 5 years or so, you'll be hard-pressed to buy any BMW in the USA with a manual transmission. The take rate keeps going down as the automatics/DCT's get better and the younger customers can afford to buy/lease BMW's.
It comes down to the requirements our government places on manufacturers for each drivetrain configuration they sell here. BMW reaches a tipping point for each model when the cost of meeting these requirements exceeds the potential profit made from the sales of manual-equipped cars.
It's too bad, as I for one enjoy driving manual-equipped cars. I've never owned a car with an automatic, other than those for my wife/kids. It's also great theft protection, as more and more potential car thieves will pass up a manual car, as they don't know how to drive one.
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'11 BMW 335i (Alpine White) M-Sport, Premium, Heated Seats, HK, 6MT, dealer-installed PPK, ER Charge Pipe, Euro Delivery 5/11/2011
'05 Lotus Elise (Arctic Silver) Sport, HT, Stage II, Odyssey PC925, Lotus Cup 240R Wheels
'87 Nissan Pickup (Burgandy) King Cab
'17 Audi A4 Ultra, Monsoon Grey, Wife's car
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