In recent years, BMW has managed to take the lead in the world automotive market for premium brands after a short period of domination in Mercedes-Benz. The propeller brand managed to sell 2.2 million new cars worldwide in 2024 (2.4 by counting Mini), against 1.98 for Mercedes and 1.67 for slightly distant audi.
With us in Europe, BMW also got out of it with 770,249 cars in 2024, an increase of 6%. Mercedes claimed 709,721 units (+1%) and Audi 660,403 cars (-10%).
BMW starts in the lead
As reported by ACEA figures for the first two months of the year (there is always a shift of just under a month to obtain the latest data), BMW retains the advantage on the old continent in early 2025 With 115,359 new cars sold by the propeller brand (-0.4%). Audi is currently in second position with 95,822 new cars sold (-3.5%) and Mercedes is third with 88,111 vehicles distributed (against 88,120 cars in the first two months of 2024).
This year 2025 is more difficult than 2024 for these premium manufacturers because of the fall in sales in China and the current geopolitical context (with the taxes brandished by Donald Trump in the United States, a very important market for them). BMW and Audi will still be able to count on important new products (the X3 and Q5 for example), just like Mercedes with its new generation CLA.
BMW at the top of electricity sales
According to Jato figures, BMW also has a fairly clear advantage over its two competitors in electric car sales: the brand has sold 13,475 cars without thermal engine over the first two months of the year (+20%) against 9,868 for Audi (+70%all the same!) And 7,363 for Mercedes (+5%). The Munich brand benefits from its long -term rental packages particularly well placed on these electric models.
