Mini axes manual transmissions in Australia – probably for good

British brand Mini has joined the exodus of car brands moving away from manual transmissions amid shrinking buyer demand, stock shortages and production delays.

In May 2022, the BMW-owned small-car specialist confirmed production of manual cars would pause until early 2023 so it could focus on manufacturing more automatic models amid parts shortages and production slowdowns.

At the time, orders for manual Minis remained open despite the pause on production, and BMW Australia insisted stick-shift variants had "not been deleted from our product (portfolio)".

Mini has now confirmed the manual transmission – a no-cost option in 27 of its 43 models last year – will be cut from the Australian range altogether and no longer available to order.

MORE: Mini pauses production of six-speed manual cars until 2023 (published May 2022)

"Mini will no longer offer manual transmissions for the Australian and New Zealand market from now until the end of production for current-generation products," James Orlov, Mini Australia Head of Product and Planning Australia/NZ, said in a statement to Drive last week.

"This decision enhances our capacity to produce multiple powertrains across our range of products to ensure we are catering to customer demands."

Figures provided to Drive show manual transmissions accounted for 3.9 per cent of Mini hatchbacks, 8.2 per cent of Convertibles and 6.3 per cent of Clubmans sold in Australia last year.

Mini's current-generation models are due to be replaced – or heavily upgraded – later this year for the three-door hatch, and 2025 for the Convertible (but there is no replacement expected for the Clubman).

However, it is unclear if the next-generation models will be available with manual transmissions due to shrinking demand globally – which could spell the end for three-pedal Minis in Australia for good.

Drive has contacted Mini Australia for more details.

Sales of new vehicles with manual transmissions have been decline for more than two decades.

About five per cent of new motor vehicles reported as sold last year had manual transmissions – or 3.9 per cent for passenger cars, or just 1.1 per cent for SUVs.

The Mini hatch and Clubman were the final cars in their respective market segments – luxury-priced city cars and small cars – that offer the option of a manual transmission.