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.
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.
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.
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