BMW delivered 1,004,669 vehicles worldwide during the first half of 2026, a 6.2% decline compared with the January-June 2025 period. Growth in Europe and the United States was not enough to offset continued weakness in China, although several SUV models posted gains during the first six months of the year.
X3 and X5 Lead BMW’s Best-Performing Models
The X3/X4 lineup recorded BMW’s strongest growth, rising 16.4% to 169,563 units. Most of those sales came from the combustion-powered X3 and the electric iX3, as production of the X4 ended last year.
BMW said its Debrecen plant has produced 50,000 vehicles in the nine months since manufacturing began there, while demand has approached 100,000 orders across Europe.
The X5/X6 lineup also delivered positive results, increasing 1.9% to 123,660 units. According to the report, many buyers continued purchasing the current-generation X5 ahead of the upcoming G65, while the X6 will remain on the current G06 platform until the G66 arrives in 2028.
Crossovers Edge Out BMW Sedans
BMW’s X1/X2 models narrowly outsold the combined 3 Series/4 Series lineup during the first half of 2026, with just over 1,000 vehicles separating the two groups.
The company is scheduled to begin i3 deliveries this fall after opening order books earlier than planned with the First Edition. The standard i3 is expected to go on sale at the end of September.
Z4 Posts Growth Before Production Ends
The Z4 increased sales by 2.8% to 5,706 units, making it one of the few BMW models to record growth despite production having ended.
BMW does not plan a direct successor to the Z4, and a new 8 Series Convertible is also not planned. However, recent spy shots have shown a fully electric i4 Convertible undergoing testing ahead of a possible 2028 launch. The combustion-powered 4 Series Convertible is expected to remain in production until mid-2029.
iX and XM Record the Largest Declines
The iX and XM experienced BMW’s steepest sales declines during the first half of the year, falling 22.8% and 22.4%, respectively.
The XM again ranked last among BMW’s model sales, while the 7 Series/8 Series lineup declined 20.6%. The report notes that the 8 Series has ended production and the 7 Series recently transitioned to its facelifted model.
BMW expects production of the updated flagship to increase at its Dingolfing plant during the second half of the year. The company also said it remains unclear whether ALPINA sales will eventually be combined with those of the BMW 7 Series.
Additional Debuts Planned for 2026
BMW said at least two major vehicle introductions remain scheduled for 2026: the iX4 and the next-generation 3 Series Sedan with combustion engines.
According to the company, neither model is expected to influence 2026 sales results because customer deliveries are unlikely to begin before early 2027.
