BMW Q2 Sales in China Plunge 30%, Group Delivers 590,962 Cars as EVs Edge Up
BMW sales in China suffered a sharp setback in the second quarter as the Munich automaker reported 590,962 deliveries, a 4.9% decline year‑on‑year driven mainly by a 30% drop in China. BMW sales in China fell to 117,815 vehicles in the quarter, overriding gains in Europe and the United States and prompting a revised profit outlook from the company. The group nevertheless increased deliveries of battery‑electric vehicles and saw Mini post strong growth even as the BMW brand lost ground.
China sales slump drives quarterly decline
The Asia downturn was concentrated in China, where deliveries tumbled by roughly a third compared with the same quarter last year. BMW executives pointed to the Chinese market as the primary reason for the quarterly sales contraction and recent profit warning, highlighting intensifying competition and softer demand there.
Sales in other parts of Asia also softened, leaving recovery to Western markets to shoulder performance improvements. Those regional shortfalls undercut what would otherwise have been a flat global result for the quarter.
Europe and United States partly offset losses
In Europe BMW delivered 260,173 cars in the three months, an increase of 5.4% from the prior year, while U.S. sales rose by 9.5% to 134,405 vehicles. Management emphasized stronger demand in those regions, saying the gains in Europe and the United States helped mitigate the impact of the China slump.
Despite those regional uplifts, the overall group figure remained negative as the magnitude of the Chinese decline outweighed improvements elsewhere. Dealers and analysts said the uneven regional picture shows how dependent high‑end marques are on a healthy Chinese luxury market.
Electric vehicle deliveries rise modestly, iX3 momentum noted
BMW said it delivered 116,807 fully electric vehicles (BEVs) across the BMW and Mini brands in the quarter, a 5.2% increase year‑on‑year. The company highlighted rising BEV volumes as a strategic win amid broader market pressures, and said Germany had moved BMW to second place for electric vehicle registrations in the quarter.
Sales executives also reported healthy early demand for the new iX3 line, with the model family on track for the milestone target of 100,000 orders announced by the manufacturer. Still, BEV growth was insufficient to offset combustion‑engine declines in markets where customers are delaying purchases or shifting to rival models.
Mini posts double‑digit growth while BMW brand declines
Among the group’s marques, Mini was the standout performer, recording a 17% increase to 81,035 vehicles sold in the quarter. Mini’s upbeat result contrasted sharply with the performance of BMW’s core brand, which fell 7.7% to 508,675 units.
Company reporting suggests the brand mix is shifting, with smaller, electrified or niche models compensating for weakness in traditional premium sedan and SUV segments. Analysts noted that product cycles, promotional activity and varying consumer preferences across markets are influencing the diverging brand trends.
Profit guidance cut after weak China performance
BMW announced in June that it had lowered its full‑year profit forecast, now anticipating a pre‑tax earnings decline of more than 15% for the year following the China shock. The downgrade followed an earlier and sharper-than-expected slowdown in its largest single market and raised questions about near‑term margins.
Management framed the revision as a cautious step in light of current conditions, pointing to slower volume growth and a tougher pricing environment in Asia. Investors will be watching upcoming quarterly reporting and cost‑control measures for signs the company can stabilise results.
BMW compares favorably to some peers but faces industry headwinds
Although BMW’s global deliveries fell, the decline was smaller than those reported by key German rivals in the period, with Mercedes‑Benz and Audi both posting larger percentage falls in volumes. BMW’s roughly 4.9% drop positions it ahead of some competitors but still reflects wider weaknesses in auto demand across major markets.
Market commentators said the industry is contending with cyclical softness, shifting consumer preferences toward EVs, and persistent pricing pressure in China. For premium manufacturers, the confluence of these factors is testing both product strategies and manufacturing plans.
BMW’s sales mix and regional exposure will determine how quickly the group recovers, but the second‑quarter figures underscore the fragility of demand in China and the importance of ramping up competitive EV offerings. Management has signalled it will pursue order intake and efficiency measures to steady earnings and prepare for the year ahead.
