BMW’s Z4 sports car may enjoy a longer life than previously anticipated. Initially, reports suggested that production of this sleek German roadster would end by October 2025. However, newer information indicates that this timeline might be outdated. A 2023 update had already pushed the end of production to March 2026, and now, yet another report claims that production has been extended further—to May 2026—but only for the U.S. market.
According to BMW Blog, which referenced a trusted insider on the Bimmerpost forums, production of the U.S.-spec BMW Z4 M40i has been given an extra two months. This particular trim is the only one in the Z4 lineup that offers a manual transmission, a feature that has proven highly popular among driving enthusiasts. While BMW hasn’t officially stated the reason behind this extension, the decision appears to align with recent market trends and strategic product positioning.
In 2024, BMW saw a notable 13.1% increase in Z4 sales in the United States, a surge largely attributed to the introduction of the manual transmission option. This claim was confirmed by a BMW spokesperson speaking to Motor1, who stated that the stick shift “absolutely” helped drive sales. The spokesperson further noted the overwhelmingly positive reception, describing customer interest as "wonderfully enthusiastic."
Given this uptick in demand, it's plausible that BMW decided to stretch the Z4’s production timeline to take advantage of the renewed interest. With the manual transmission increasingly rare—and expected to disappear from BMW's entire lineup by 2030—this could be the final opportunity for buyers to own a new manual-equipped Z4. The prospect of acquiring one of the last models featuring a traditional gearbox may continue to entice purists and collectors alike.
Interestingly, the same insider also revealed that May 2026 will mark the end of production for the Toyota Supra. This is noteworthy because the Supra and the Z4 are built on the same platform and share an assembly line operated by Magna Steyr in Austria. Their parallel production schedules add credibility to the report.
Unlike Toyota, which has confirmed plans to replace the outgoing Supra, BMW has not announced any successor to the Z4. In a market where sports car and convertible sales have been steadily declining, the company may choose to retire the Z4 permanently, at least in its current form. If that happens, this production extension may offer one last hurrah for the iconic model.