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BMW Reaches 50,000 EV Sales In 2024: Milestone In U.S. Electrification Journey

BMW ‘Strong Performance in BEVs and PHEVs Drive Overall Growth, Though Challenges Emerge as Competition Intensifies in the U.S. EV Market

Michael Phoon

January 7, 2025 | Updated 05:21, January 7, 2025

3 min read

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BMW of North America reached a new major milestone in its electrification journey in 2024, surpassing 50,000 electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United States (U.S.) for the first time.

Strong Overall Sales Performance

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BMW i4 (Image: BMW)

The company delivered 50,981 battery EVs (BEVs) in 2024, representing a 12.3% increase from 2023’s 45,417 units. This EV performance contributed to BMW’s overall strong year, with total U.S. sales reaching 371,346 vehicles – a 2.5% increase that marked the brand’s second consecutive year of record sales.

A closer examination of BMW’s electric portfolio reveals varying levels of success across its model range. The i4 emerged as the standout performer with 23,403 deliveries, though this represented only a modest 3.6% increase from the previous year. The new i5 showed promising growth with 8,763 units sold, a dramatic 310.8% increase, although from a low base in its launch year. However, the iX SUV experienced an 11.1% decline with 15,383 deliveries, suggesting growing pressure in the luxury electric SUV segment.

Sebastian Mackensen, President & CEO of BMW of North America, emphasized the brand’s broad appeal stating, “U.S. customers really love our ‘Ultimate Driving Machines’ — regardless of drivetrain — which fueled sales growth of both ICE and BEV vehicles.”

Plug-In Hybrids Bolster Electrified Sales

When including plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), BMW’s total electrified vehicle sales reached 70,379 units, representing 19% of the company’s total U.S. sales. As a result, this indicates the company’s progressive transition toward electrification while maintaining its traditional market presence.

However, BMW’s position in the EV market faces growing challenges from multiple directions. General Motors (GM) and Ford both reported stronger EV growth in 2024, with GM delivering over 114,400 EVs with a 50% increase) and Ford reached nearly 97,900 deliveries up 35%. Hyundai and Kia have also expanded their EV presence in key segments.

A Decline in Fourth-Quarter EV Sales

A potential warning sign for BMW appeared in the fourth quarter of 2024, when its EV sales declined 3.5% to 13,876 units, making it one of the few manufacturers to report lower EV sales during this period. This contrasts with the broader industry trend of accelerating EV adoption and suggests BMW may need to strengthen its competitive position in the evolving EV market.

Navigating the Future of EV Leadership

As BMW celebrates its 50th year in the U.S. market in 2025, the company faces the challenge of maintaining its traditional luxury market leadership while accelerating its EV momentum in an increasingly crowded field. The success of new models and the company’s ability to compete with both traditional luxury brands and EV specialists will likely determine its position in the developing automotive landscape.

If you are looking for BMW models, we can help you get started. Click Here to find the best deals near you. Want to learn more about EV? Thinking of buying an EV? Head over to EV.com and discover more.


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