BMW’s overall U.S. sales rose 13% in the second quarter of 2026, outperforming the market average. Despite this, the company’s fully electric vehicle (EV) sales in America fell sharply, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) showed solid growth.
Strong U.S. Sales, But Falling EV Figures
BMW reported U.S. sales of 102,713 vehicles in Q2 2026, marking a 13% increase year over year. However, combined EV and PHEV sales in the U.S. dropped by 18.1% during the same period. The automaker noted a 22.9% rise in plug-in hybrid sales, implying that pure electric vehicle sales declined significantly.
- Q2 EV sales estimated to have fallen about 41% to 6,547 units, down from 11,094 the previous year.
- PHEVs gained in popularity, reflecting broader U.S. trends favoring hybrids over all-electric models.
- Reduction in EV tax credit believed to have hurt demand for battery electric vehicles.
New Models Could Improve EV Performance
BMW’s current EV lineup in the U.S. is aging, but new models are expected to boost sales soon. The launch of the iX3 in September 2026 and an updated i7 are seen as key to reversing the EV sales decline. Additionally, the i3 and iX5 will arrive in 2027, expanding BMW’s electric offerings with longer ranges and faster charging.
- The new iX3 already has nearly 100,000 global orders.
- Upcoming Neue Klasse EVs will offer over 400 miles of range and ultra-fast charging.
- These models aim to strengthen BMW’s U.S. EV market presence.
Contrasting Global EV Trends
Globally, BMW and Mini’s EV sales improved slightly, growing 5.2% in Q2 to 116,807 units. Europe saw a strong 38% increase in EV deliveries, driven by early iX3 availability. Despite the positive Q2, first-half global EV deliveries fell 7.4%, highlighting challenges in markets like China. Overall, BMW’s global sales dipped 4.2% through June 2026, partly due to a slowdown in China.
Why This Matters
BMW’s strong U.S. sales growth shows the brand’s continued appeal, but the drop in pure EV sales highlights challenges in the American market. New electric models arriving soon could help BMW regain momentum. For buyers and observers, watching how BMW balances PHEV popularity with all-electric growth will be important, especially with shifts in incentives and market preferences.
Source: insideevs.com