--- title: "BMW Isn’t Giving Up on Manuals Just Yet: TDS" date: "2026-04-06" modified: "2026-04-06" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/bmw-isnt-giving-up-on-manuals-just-yet-tds" categories: - "News" - "The Downshift" tags: - "BMW" --- # BMW Isn’t Giving Up on Manuals Just Yet: TDS ![BMW manual transmission shifter]() *\BMW\* Good morning and welcome to *[The Downshift]()*, or *TDS* for short. *The Downshift* is *The Drive’s* morning summary of all the auto industry headlines you need to know. News is summarized with a few sentences, including links to dig deeper if you wish. The sun's shining outside my window and I've got a full cup of coffee on my desk. That's all you can really ask for on a Monday, so let's get into it. ⚙️ While some at BMW may feel that the manual transmission ["doesn't really make sense"]() anymore, the company is nevertheless working to ensure its continued existence in performance offerings, according to M division vice president Sylvia Neubauer. The exec "promised a solution" to *[Automobilwoche]()* (via *[Motor1]()*), saying that its engineers are investigating ways to keep the stick around despite rising torque figures. 🏭 The Polestar 3 SUV is currently made in Chengdu, China and South Carolina, but *[CarBuzz]()* reports that Polestar plans to end Chinese production of the model, leaving all manufacturing to the U.S. 🥼 Honda is reviving the R&D unit it closed at the beginning of the decade in the hopes of facilitating competition with Chinese manufacturing, according to *[Nikkei Asia]()*. This division achieved many firsts for the automaker over the years, including the development of the CVCC engine that was able to meet U.S. emissions regulations back in the '70s without the need for a catalytic converter. 😵‍💫 An *[Automotive News]()* interview with Jeep CEO Bob Broderdorf unpacked the company's strategy to get Grand Wagoneer sales on track, confirming a suspicion many had: Jeep found that customers thought the Grand Wagoneer was a larger vehicle than the Wagoneer, as the Grand Cherokee is to the regular Cherokee. The non-Grand Wagoneer was discontinued late last year. 👔 Jean-Dominique Senard, chairman of Renault Group, will not seek reelection upon the end of his term next year, per *Reuters* via *[Auto News]()*. Senard took over the company after former chief Carlos Ghosn's arrest in 2018. 🛞 Mercedes-Benz is recalling some 3,500 G-Class electric SUVs due to wheel bolts that may loosen over time, *[InsideEVs]()* reports. 🏁 Weekend Race Results: - NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series at Rockingham — William Sawalich won for Joe Gibbs Racing - NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series at Rockingham — Corey Heim won for Tricon Garage ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()