Report: BMW EV Sales Charges Ahead Of Rivals Mercedes-Benz, Audi

BMW sees its EV sales surge past rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi throughout 1H 2024, with its deliveries totalling at 107,33 units marking a 22% jump compared to the same period last year.

German luxury automaker BMW is surging ahead of rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi in terms of its electric vehicle (EV) sales for the first half (1H) of 2024, reports Bloomberg. Adding to which were the struggles by both rivals and raised EV deliveries by BMW in the second quarter (Q2).

The same report indicated that BMW’s Q2 EV deliveries had surged by 22% to 107,933 units through June compared to the same timeframe last year. BMW cited that its attractive product portfolio allowed it to offset what it described as a “challenging market”.

Source: Bloomberg

The Bavarian marque’s results sharply contrasts against that of Stuttgart-rooted rival Mercedes-Benz, which claims its wholesale EV deliveries dropped by 25% to just 45,800 units. The three-point star marque blames weak demands in major markets and heavy discounts in EV markets.

Effectively, BMW is bucking the trend in the European market where EV sales have plateaued or diminished as a share of overall deliveries in recent months. Despite years of growth, EV demands have reportedly softened since governments began reducing or halting EV purchase incentives.

Both Mercedes-Benz and Audi brands reportedly cited weakened demand for EVs in a number of key markets for their EV sales slump.

BMW, on the other hand, credited its attractive product portfolio for its EV sales surge.

Over at Audi, the four-ringed marque’s EV deliveries in Q2 2024 remained flat at 41,000 units. Its parent company Volkswagen Group notes that EV sales in Europe and North America shrank by 15% throughout 1H 2024, whilst EV demand in China rose by 45% in the same timeframe.

Looking ahead, BMW is banking on EV sales as it recently debuted a slew of new and updated EV models – i.e. the revised i4 range and the iX2 crossover SUV. BMW had timed its EV shift earlier than rivals through past EV offerings like the i3 city car, thus gaining valuable R&D experience.

Source: Bloomberg via Automotive News Europe