BMW M Shatters Sales Records in 2025, Defying Design Critics

Daily Car

13/01/2026

BMW's high-performance M division has once again achieved record-breaking sales in 2025, marking its 14th consecutive year of growth. Despite ongoing debates surrounding its design choices, buyers have overwhelmingly favored performance, with the M badge solidifying its position as a key brand asset. The division sold a total of 213,457 vehicles, a 3.3 percent increase year-on-year, with M Performance models forming the bulk of these sales.

Key Takeaways

BMW M achieved its 14th consecutive year of record sales in 2025.
The X3 M50 was the division's overall best-selling model, surpassing the electric i4 M50.
North America remains the largest market for BMW M vehicles.
Despite overall growth, Q4 2025 saw a dip in sales, particularly for battery-electric vehicles.

The Unexpected Top Seller

While pure M models like the M2, M3, M4, and M5 contributed significantly, the M Performance range, including models like the M340i and i4 M60, accounted for the majority of sales. The surprise standout performer for 2025 was the X3 M50. This model managed to claim the top spot across the entire BMW M GmbH lineup, overtaking the previous year's leader, the electric i4 M50. This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the criticism the X3 M50 has faced regarding its styling and perceived interior material compromises, especially considering its starting price of $66,500 in the U.S. The sales figures suggest that consumer purchasing decisions are not heavily swayed by online commentary.

Global Performance and Market Trends

In 2025, M vehicles represented 9.8 percent of BMW's total global sales. The United States led the charge as the division's largest market, with over 72,000 M vehicles sold. Other significant markets included Canada, Germany, South Korea, South Africa, the UK, and China. Notably, Switzerland showed a remarkable concentration of M vehicle sales, making up nearly a quarter of all BMWs sold in the country.

Sales Figures and Future Outlook

BMW M sold a total of 213,457 vehicles in 2025. Of these, approximately 71,500 were pure M cars, while 141,957 were M Performance models. The overall BMW brand saw a modest 0.5 percent increase in sales, reaching 2,463,715 vehicles. Electrified models, including plug-in hybrids and EVs, saw an 8.3 percent rise to 642,087 units, with fully electric BMWs accounting for 442,072 units. However, the final quarter of 2025 presented a challenge, with a 7.9 percent dip in BMW M sales and a 10.5 percent drop in battery-electric vehicle sales, potentially influenced by the rollback of federal EV tax incentives in the U.S. Despite these Q4 fluctuations, BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel expressed confidence, stating, "Our 14th consecutive sales record validates our strategy. We will continue to offer performance and high-performance vehicles across the entire BMW model range. With fully electric, partly electric, and all-ICE powertrains."

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