BMW Extends Z4 Production Due to Continued Demand, Sources Reveal

The BMW Z4 is set to remain in production longer than initially planned. While it was anticipated to be discontinued in October 2025, earlier reports from 2023 indicated an extension until March of the following year. Recent whispers suggest that production has been further prolonged to May 2026, specifically for models in the United States.

BMW Blog, referencing reliable information from the Bimmerpost community, reveals that the US-version Z4 M40i—the sole variant equipped with a manual gearbox—will see its production extended by an additional two months. Although the source did not provide specific reasons for this delay, several plausible explanations can be considered.

Sales figures for the Z4 surged by 13.1 percent in 2024 after BMW introduced the manual transmission option in the U.S. market. A BMW representative informed Motor1 earlier this year that the addition of the stick shift played a significant role in boosting Z4 sales. "The feedback has been extremely positive," they commented.

Strategic Production Decisions

In response to the uptick in sales, BMW likely opted to prolong the production of the Z4. With the manual option expected to be phased out across the brand by 2030, BMW may be anticipating sustained demand from enthusiasts eager to purchase the last manual Z4s available.

Platform Sharing and Future Prospects

The same Bimmerpost insider mentioned that May 2026 will also mark the end of production for the Toyota Supra. Enthusiasts are aware that the Supra and Z4 share a common platform and are manufactured on the same assembly line by Magna Steyr in Austria, which substantiates the extended production timeline.

However, unlike Toyota, which has already announced a successor for the Supra, BMW has yet to confirm any plans for a replacement. Given the declining trends in sports car and convertible sales annually, it is plausible that BMW may eventually discontinue the Z4, at least in its current incarnation.