BMW Group Deliveries Decline as China Market Remains Weak

what happened

Newsmetry API reports that BMW Group vehicle deliveries fell 6.3% in the third quarter to 551,072 units. Growth in Europe and the U.S. was not enough to offset continued weakness in the Chinese market.

Sales of BMW- and Mini-branded cars increased 2.7% in Europe and 2.5% in the U.S. In China, they dropped 25% to 114,355 vehicles. BMW said the figures also reflected conditions across the automotive market. “Business in China remained challenging,” the company said.

European automakers are dealing with a shrinking Chinese auto market and intense competition that has driven a prolonged price war. Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen have also recently reported lower sales in China.

Demand for fully electric vehicles rose, with BMW saying its iX3 model supported growth in the third quarter. Sales chief Jochen Goller also pointed to strong customer interest in the new BMW 3 Series and BMW X5.

why it matters

The results highlight the continuing pressure on European automakers from China, while stronger sales in Europe, the U.S. and electric vehicles provide some offset for BMW Group.

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