BMW was among the first automakers to release its annual sales results last week. Global deliveries fell 1.4% to 2,169,761 vehicles, excluding the MINI and Rolls-Royce subsidiaries. Arch-rival Mercedes took longer to crunch the numbers but the results are now in. As expected, BMW has retained its luxury sales crown.
The brand with the legendary star delivered 1,800,800 vehicles in the last 12 months. That represented a 9% decline compared to the previous year, allowing BMW to widen the gap to almost 370,000 units. Audi hasn’t announced its 2025 performance yet, but it’s most likely behind its two domestic rivals.
BMW has another reason to celebrate. The M division recorded its 14th consecutive record year with 213,457 vehicles delivered, an increase of 3.3% compared to 2024. Although Mercedes-AMG grew 7% to 145,000 units, the growth was nowhere near enough to catch up with BMW M.
The picture is similar in the area of electric vehicles. The long-time BMW rival from Stuttgart sold 168,800 electric vehicles, 9% less than the previous year. Once again Munich is ahead. While exact EV numbers for the BMW brand were not disclosed, the BMW Group delivered 442,072 vehicles without combustion engines.
MINI accounted for a record number of 105,535 electric vehicles in 2025. If you take this amount into account, BMW’s electric car sales last year amounted to more than 330,000 units. We haven’t forgotten the Rolls-Royce Specter, but its impact is negligible given the brand’s low production numbers. Of the entire Rolls-Royce range, only 5,664 vehicles were sold, with the V12-powered Cullinan proving to be the best seller.
Of course, sales numbers don’t always tell the whole story. Luxury automakers benefit from higher profit margins than mainstream brands. Still, it’s another plus for BMW as bragging rights continue to play an important role in marketing materials.
Both companies are preparing for a busy 2026. Coincidentally, the 7 Series and S-Class are due for mid-cycle facelifts this year. Mercedes will kick things off on January 29th with the refreshed S-Class, followed by the Maybach variant. BMW hasn’t announced when the G70 will receive its Life Cycle Impulse, but it will definitely debut after the Benz-branded S-Class.
