BMW sales in China plunge 30% in Q2, dragging group deliveries down 4.9%
BMW sales in China plunged 30% in Q2, contributing to a 4.9% decline in group deliveries to 590,962 cars as the Munich automaker reported mixed regional results and a weaker profit outlook.
Quarterly figures and overall decline
BMW reported total global deliveries of 590,962 vehicles in the second quarter, down 4.9% from the same period a year earlier. The decline interrupted a string of modest growth reported in the prior year and reflects narrowing demand in key markets. Management said the results were weighed down by a sharp deterioration in China that the company had cited in a recent profit warning.
China slump drags group results
Deliveries to China fell dramatically, dropping by roughly 30% to 117,815 cars in the quarter. That steep slide erased gains made in other regions and was identified by BMW as the primary reason for the softer group performance. Executives signaled that local market challenges, including weaker consumer demand and heightened competition, are central to the China setback.
Europe and U.S. provide partial offset
BMW achieved a 5.4% increase in deliveries across Europe, recording about 260,173 vehicles in the quarter. The United States also improved, with sales rising 9.5% to approximately 134,405 cars, helping to cushion the China decline. Still, these gains were insufficient to fully offset losses in Asia, leaving the group in overall negative territory for the quarter.
Brand performance: Mini climbs while core BMW slips
The Mini brand outperformed, delivering 81,035 vehicles, a 17% year-on-year increase that reflected stronger demand for compact and premium small cars. By contrast, the BMW core brand saw deliveries fall by 7.7% to 508,675 units, illustrating uneven momentum within the group. The divergence underlines the importance of portfolio mix for automakers navigating shifting regional markets.
Electric vehicle deliveries and iX3 order momentum
BMW and Mini combined to deliver 116,807 fully electric vehicles in the quarter, marking a 5.2% rise in BEV shipments year on year. The company said electric sales strengthened its position in Germany, where BMW moved up to second place in full-electric vehicle registrations for the quarter. BMW also reported that demand for the new iX3 line is on track, with the model family targeting about 100,000 orders.
Profit forecast cut and market implications
In June, BMW reduced its full-year profit guidance, warning that pre-tax profit would fall by more than 15% versus the prior year. The company linked the revision directly to the abrupt downturn in China and broader market headwinds. Management emphasized cost control measures and portfolio adjustments as part of its response to the weaker outlook.
How BMW compares with German rivals
BMW’s quarterly decline was somewhat milder than the drops reported by some domestic competitors. Mercedes-Benz Group posted deliveries of roughly 511,900 vehicles in the quarter, down about 6%, while Audi reported deliveries near 367,139 vehicles, a decline of just over 8%. The comparison suggests BMW is not alone in facing a challenging demand environment, but regional exposure and product mix are shaping different outcomes for each manufacturer.
BMW sales in China remain the most significant near-term risk for the group, even as electric vehicle momentum and gains in Europe and the U.S. provide offsetting strength. Management faces the task of stabilizing volumes in China while executing EV growth plans and managing profit pressures over the remainder of the year.
