BMW AG reported a dip in profitability for the second quarter as U.S. tariffs and weaker sales in China pressured earnings. The German luxury carmaker’s automotive operating margin slipped to 5.4%, slightly above analyst expectations but down from previous levels.
Key Points:
Tariff Impact: President Donald Trump’s trade war is expected to shave 1.25 percentage points off BMW’s 2025 margins.
China Slump: Increasing competition from domestic EV makers like BYD is squeezing BMW’s market share and pricing in its largest market.
Shares: Fell as much as 2.1% in Frankfurt Thursday but remain up 6.2% year-to-date.
Outlook:
BMW maintained its full-year auto margin guidance of at least 5%, making it one of the few European automakers not cutting forecasts this season. Porsche, Volkswagen, and Mercedes-Benz have all downgraded outlooks amid trade-related costs.
The company plans to counter tariff effects with cost-saving measures and increasing U.S. output at its South Carolina plant.
EV Momentum:
BMW’s electric vehicle sales rose 16% in H1, outpacing Mercedes in the shift to battery-powered cars. CEO Oliver Zipse aims to build on that momentum with the launch of the first Neue Klasse EV in September.
Bottom Line: Tariffs and China’s competitive market are squeezing BMW’s profits, but rising EV sales and U.S. production expansion could help cushion the blow.
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