BMW Reports Decline in Profits Amid Stable Car Sales

BMW has announced a significant decline in profits for the first half of the year, attributing this downturn to U.S. tariff policies, reduced sales in China, and the impact of a weaker dollar. The Munich-based automaker reported a net profit of EUR4 billion, representing a 29% decrease compared to the same period last year. This marks the third consecutive year of profit decline in the first half for the company.

Despite the profit drop, BMW's performance remains more resilient compared to other German automotive manufacturers. Volkswagen and its subsidiary Audi both experienced a profit decrease of over one third, while Mercedes-Benz reported a staggering loss of more than 50%.

Oliver Zipse, the CEO of BMW, highlighted the company's ability to weather these challenges, stating that the results reflect the robustness of their business model. Earlier sales figures indicated that BMW's sales volume was relatively stable, with approximately 1.2 million vehicles sold, contrasting with the declines faced by competitors like Mercedes and Audi. However, the company did see an 8% decrease in revenue, totaling EUR67.7 billion.

The implementation of tariffs has notably affected BMW, particularly concerning exports to the United States and imports of electric vehicles from China, with a hefty 31% tariff imposed on these imports. The company anticipates that these tariffs could reduce its automotive profit margins by 1.25 percentage points this year, amounting to a substantial financial burden.

While BMW did not disclose specific figures regarding the financial impact of U.S. tariffs, rival Audi estimated its costs from these tariffs at around EUR600 million. In contrast, BMW operates a manufacturing plant in the U.S., which produces roughly half of the vehicles sold there, mitigating some of the tariff impacts.

There is potential optimism regarding a possible reduction of U.S. tariffs on exports from 10% to zero, which could benefit BMW. However, the company remains far from offsetting the 15% tariffs on its exports to the U.S.

BMW's Chief Financial Officer, Walter Mertl, reaffirmed confidence in the company's business model, emphasizing that its U.S. footprint helps mitigate the effects of tariffs. BMW aims to adhere strictly to its annual targets, supported by improved efficiency and optimized cost structures.

Among its goals, BMW aims to achieve a pre-tax profit similar to last year's figure of approximately EUR11 billion. Currently, the company has secured over half of this target, with pre-tax earnings reaching EUR5.7 billion. However, BMW has opted not to provide a forecast for net profits.

The German automotive industry is facing significant challenges, with manufacturers grappling not only with U.S. tariffs but also with intense competition and discounting in the Chinese market, particularly in the electric vehicle sector. Many companies have initiated job cuts in response to these pressures, although BMW has so far managed to avoid such measures.

Looking ahead, BMW is hopeful that its upcoming vehicle lineup, particularly the new models set to be unveiled at the International Motor Show in September, will reinvigorate sales. The company plans to introduce over 40 new or revamped models across various segments and drive types by 2027.