The Sales Showdown Between Mercedes and BMW Just Became Humiliating | Carscoops

      Mercedes experienced a decline in sales in Q3, with a decrease in deliveries by double digits, while BMW's sales increased nearly by the same percentage.

      BMW and Mercedes have disclosed their sales figures for the period of July to September.

      Mercedes sold 441,500 vehicles, reflecting a 12 percent drop in deliveries.

      In contrast, BMW’s sales rose by 9 percent, totaling 514,620 units, including a significant 25 percent increase in the US market.

      As longstanding competitors, BMW and Mercedes primarily operate in the same market segment. However, one of the prominent German brands saw a significant drop in performance, while the other appears poised for growth based on this week's sales data.

      In Q3, Mercedes sold 441,500 cars (along with 83,800 vans), marking a 12 percent decrease compared to the same quarter in 2024. Conversely, BMW sold 514,620 vehicles, marking a 5.7 percent increase. When considering other brands under the BMW Group, such as Rolls Royce, BMW M, and Mini, total sales reached 588,300, which is an 8.8 percent increase from the same period last year.

      Interestingly, the two brands demonstrated contrasting performances in key markets. In the US — which has faced tariff impacts this year — Mercedes saw a 17 percent drop in sales, totaling 70,800 vehicles.

      In stark contrast, BMW managed to grow its US sales by an impressive 24.9 percent within the same timeframe, achieving 297,247 units.

      Similarly, in China, where both brands, like many Western automakers, have encountered challenges, Mercedes faced a substantial decline with sales plummeting 27 percent, while BMW only experienced an 11 percent drop — still negative, but significantly better.

      The performance of electric and electrified vehicles highlights the disparities further. Mercedes struggled, as deliveries of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) remained stagnant with 42,600 units sold in Q3, maintaining year-on-year figures amidst challenges like cost pressures, tariffs, and growing EV competition in China.

      On the other hand, BMW's situation is more nuanced. The BMW Group's electrified offerings (including BEV and PHEV) displayed strong overall growth, with a total of 151,282 electrified units sold in Q3, an 8 percent increase. However, sales in the US were down by 2.8 percent. Global sales of full electric vehicles dropped slightly by 0.6 percent to 102,864 units during the same period, although year-to-date figures show a 10 percent increase.

      Both manufacturers have significant new models set to launch, including the GLC with EQ Technology and the iX3, making it intriguing to observe their impact on the sales numbers for next year.