Unanticipated Shifts in the Auto Industry: BMW Steps Back as E-Car Giant Falls to Competitors
BMW Surpasses: Car Manufacturer Tops Sales - "Top-Selling Electric Vehicles"
The automobile market is igniting with a whirlwind of changes, as new leaders rise and established giants falter. Shockingly, BMW finds itself among the latter, as rival companies surge ahead in electric vehicle (EV) sales.
A Coalition of Power - But Not for Everyone
Electric mobility is gathering momentum in our nation, and at a remarkable pace. In May 2025, the registration of fully electric vehicles skyrocketed to over 43,000, a nearly 45 percent increase compared to the previous month. This unparalleled surge illustrates the accelerating shift in the automobile market. However, the fortunate recipients of this boom are far from obvious. Approximately half of the new EVs originate from the Volkswagen Group. Demand for the VW ID.7, with over 3,100 registrations, is particularly strong, closing the gap to the Passat. The ID.4, ID.3, ID.Buzz, and other models continue to perform steadily as well.
The Volkswagen Group secures a commanding market share of 21.5 percent for its electric vehicles, a clear lead. Within the group, Skoda also shines, with the new Enyaq boasting 2,690 units and catapulting the brand into double-digit EV market share. Audi experiences a positive breeze, thanks to the new A6 e-tron and the SUV Q6, which surpass the 3,000 mark for the first time and open a significant door. Mercedes, on the other hand, remains in the back with a scant 5 percent of its new cars being fully electric models. Despite the new CLA, production of which is just starting in Rastatt, Mercedes faces an uphill battle to catch up to the new leading front.
Also Read
- Dark clouds: Bottleneck hits Mercedes - "Electric cars affected"
- BMW E-cars overtaken - Two other car manufacturers move forward
In the shadow of VW's success, another traditional manufacturer misses the mark: BMW. While the company sold 3,638 EVs in May, Audi eclipses it. Industry specialists attribute this decline at BMW, in part, to the pending launch of the new iX3 in the fall, marking a significant model shift. Meanwhile, Tesla struggles even more, with only around 920 vehicles in May. This places the Model Y in a dismal 12th position, serving as a warning signal. BYD, Tesla's Chinese rival, records at least 1,223 units, yet still lingers below expectations.
The month's victors are Hyundai and Kia. Hyundai, at long last, enters the top ten best-selling EVs with the affordable Ioniq, while the new Kia EV6 also gains considerably. Simultaneously, new incentive plans initiated by the federal government offer additional impetus. Companies can now depreciate EVs at an accelerated rate, and company cars valued up to 100,000 euros reap tax benefits. This escalates the pressure on the laggards - as those that trail now may forfeit their connection for good.
Other traditional manufacturers, such as BMW, are struggling to keep up with the electric-vehicle trend, as Volkswagen Group secures a commanding market share with the registrations of over 43,000 electric vehicles in May 2025. Technology advancements in electric-vehicles have led to new competitors surging ahead, causing established giants like BMW to falter. Meanwhile, other car manufacturers like Audi, Hyundai, and Kia are gaining ground with their electric-vehicle offerings.
