TLDR
- BMW Group delivered 565,748 vehicles in Q1 2026, down 3.5% year-over-year
- China sales fell 10%, U.S. sales dropped 4.3%, while Europe grew 3%
- BMW joins Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen in reporting China weakness
- Global fully electric vehicle deliveries dropped 20%, hit by the end of U.S. government incentives
- European EV orders surged 40%, driven by the new BMW iX3, which has received over 50,000 orders since launch
BMW Group reported a 3.5% decline in global vehicle deliveries for the first quarter of 2026, selling 565,748 vehicles across its BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands.
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, BMW.DE
The drop was driven by two of the automaker’s most important markets. U.S. deliveries fell 4.3%, and China — once a growth engine for the group — dropped 10%. Europe was the one bright spot, where BMW and MINI brand sales rose 3%, but it wasn’t enough to make up the gap.
BMW was quick to note that its China performance still outpaced the broader market decline in the country, suggesting the fall reflects a market-wide slowdown rather than a BMW-specific problem.
The results put BMW in familiar company. Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Porsche, and Audi have all reported lower China sales in recent quarters. The world’s second-largest car market has been under pressure from a struggling economy and fierce local competition.
EV picture is mixed
The electric vehicle story was split along geographic lines. European orders for fully electric vehicles jumped 40% in Q1, largely thanks to the newly launched BMW iX3 — the first model on the company’s new Neue Klasse platform.
Sales chief Jochen Goller said demand for the iX3 has been “exceptionally strong,” with over 50,000 orders placed in Europe since the order books opened. BMW said it is running two shifts at its Debrecen, Hungary plant to keep pace.
On a global basis, though, fully electric deliveries fell 20%. The pullback in the U.S. was a key factor, with the removal of government EV incentives dragging down demand.
Traditional combustion engine sales held relatively steady, coming in slightly above last year’s level.
Neue Klasse in focus
BMW has staked a lot on the Neue Klasse platform, which underpins its next generation of software-heavy, tech-first vehicles. The iX3 is the first to market, and early order numbers suggest customer appetite is there — at least in Europe.
The company said it remains confident in its product portfolio and expects the wider rollout of Neue Klasse models to build momentum through the year.
BMW did not provide updated full-year guidance in Tuesday’s delivery report, but previously flagged that U.S. tariffs and the uncertain global trade environment remain risks to its outlook.
The Q1 results follow a broader pattern across the German auto sector, where China exposure has become a drag on overall performance as local Chinese brands grow more competitive on price and technology.
BMW’s next major update is expected to come with its full Q1 financial results, which will provide more detail on revenue and profitability behind the delivery numbers.
🚨 Our April Stock Picks Are Live!
A new month means new opportunities. Our analysts have just released their top stock picks for April, highlighting companies with strong momentum that rank highly on our KO Score algorithm. We’re also now sharing trade ideas for both long-term and short-term investors, giving you more ways to spot potential opportunities in the market.
Sign up to Knockout Stocks today and get 50% off to unlock the full list and see which stocks made the cut.
Use coupon code Special50 for your exclusive discount!
Get 3 Free Stock Ebooks
Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.
- Top 10 AI Stocks - Leading AI companies
- Top 10 Crypto Stocks - Blockchain leaders
- Top 10 Tech Stocks - Tech giants
