BMW Group has reported a strong start to 2026, driven by robust demand for its Neue Klasse electric vehicles, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) orders in Europe rising by around 40% in the first quarter.
The surge in demand is largely attributed to the new BMW iX3, which has received more than 50,000 orders since bookings opened in Europe. Notably, more than half of all BMW X3 orders are now fully electric, highlighting a significant shift toward electrification.
Jochen Goller, Member of the Board of Management at BMW AG responsible for Customer, Brands, and Sales, said the strong response reflects a “quantum leap in technology” with the Neue Klasse lineup. He also noted positive feedback for the upcoming BMW i3, the second model in the new-generation EV family.
Despite global market challenges, BMW Group delivered 565,748 vehicles across its BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce brands in Q1 2026, marking a slight decline of 3.5% year-on-year. However, the company achieved notable growth in Europe, with sales rising 3%, and particularly strong performance in Germany, where deliveries increased by 10.7%.
The BMW brand accounted for 496,050 units, while MINI recorded continued growth for the fifth consecutive quarter, delivering 68,427 vehicles globally, up 5.9%. Rolls-Royce delivered 1,271 units, and BMW Motorrad sold 42,735 motorcycles during the same period.
In terms of electrification, BMW Group delivered 87,458 fully electric vehicles worldwide in Q1, a decline of 20.1% compared to the previous year. The company attributed this to factors such as the discontinuation of EV incentives in the United States, which impacted overall demand.
However, the European market remained a bright spot, with BEV sales surpassing last year’s already high levels. The initial deliveries of the BMW iX3 in March mark the beginning of the Neue Klasse rollout, which BMW expects to drive further growth as production ramps up globally.
In China, BMW managed to outperform the broader market decline, demonstrating resilience in one of its key regions. Meanwhile, demand for internal combustion engine vehicles remained steady, slightly exceeding last year’s levels.
Looking ahead, BMW Group remains optimistic, citing its “technology-neutral” product strategy and expanding Neue Klasse lineup as key growth drivers. The company expects increasing momentum as its next-generation electric vehicles become widely available across global markets.
