If you doubted EVs were the future for BMW, think again
BMW earnings often bring mixed results, but not this year. In the first three months of 2025, BMW reports that sales of electric vehicles are up 26.4 percent, and overall sales are up 3.7 percent. MINI is also up 9.5 percent.
These numbers are for Q1 2025, and the percentage gains are calculated by comparing sales to the first quarter of 2024. The numbers are striking for a few reasons, not least that the first quarter is often a slow time for the auto industry and the economy in general. As people recover from holiday shopping, large purchases often take a backseat. Maybe people didn’t get the BMW i4 M50 they expected to see under the tree last Christmas.
BMW
Behind the numbers of BMW’s earnings
Buoyed by i4 sales, BMW sold 13,538 electrified cars in Q1 2025 compared to 9,713 sold in the first quarter of last year. The i5, a relatively recent addition to BMW’s stable of EVs, sold 1,899 units this year. The i4, a punchy little four-door sedan best experienced in an M variant, sold 7,125 cars, leading all EV sales for BMW by a wide margin. The iX, BMW’s first foray into electrified SUVs, sold 3,626 units, while the luxurious and stately i7 found 888 new owners.
Though BMW sold more EVs this year, not all vehicles sold better. i5 sales dipped 15.2 percent (BMW sold 239 i5s in Q1 2024) and the i7 fell 10.4 percent (991 sold in Q1 2024). For the i7, this isn’t alarming, as the current version is a bit long in the tooth, and the market for a six-figure electrified sedan is small anyway. The fact that i5 sales are down may hint at waning interest, though.
The iX sold 23.1 percent better in 2025, and the i4 is selling 57 percent better this year. The 4 Series has always been a sleeper hit for BMW, and the i4 suggests buyers are interested in smaller, sportier EVs. Last year, the i4 accounted for half of all 4 Series sales in the US.
MINI
MINI reports big results
MINI’s big success in 2025 is driven by bigger vehicles. BMW didn’t break down MINI sales figures by model, but it did say that the brand sold 6,976 vehicles so far this year compared to 6,369 in the first quarter of 2024, which equates to a 9.5 percent uptick.
The new MINI Countryman, a small SUV that’s massive by MINI standards, has reached dealerships and is contributing to sales. It’s the largest MINI to date and undoubtedly garners attention from small SUV buyers who want something fun without sacrificing quality. The Cooper, a return to MINI’s heart and soul of small, sporty two-door cars, is also available in dealerships.
BMW
Final thoughts
The elephant in the room is that BMW has yet to electrify its core SUVs in the United States. When—not if—that happens, expect sales of BMW EVs to skyrocket. If BMW times vehicle launches properly and can find enough lithium to electrify its cars en masse, we could be reporting on 100 percent or more growth in BMW EV sales in 2026 when its next-gen battery and Neue Klasse vehicle platforms are ready to roll (pun intended).
