Car buyers in China tend to prefer automatic transmissions, so manual-transmission sales have been steadily falling.  -  IMAGE: Volkswagen

Car buyers in China tend to prefer automatic transmissions, so manual-transmission sales have been steadily falling.

IMAGE: Volkswagen

Volkswagen will stop making manual-transmission vehicles with one of two joint ventures in China after experiencing continued reduced demand as Chinese buyers tend to prefer automatic transmissions.

The JV with state-owned SAIC Motors has seen manual-transmission vehicle production drop from 500,000 a year to approximately 50,000.

Its production of such vehicles will stop in August 2024. Manual-transmission vehicles made with a different JV will continue, at least for now.

In China, the German automaker is trying to compete with domestic electric-vehicle manufacturers.

READ MORE: German Carmakers' 2023 Outlook Dim

 

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

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