If there s one thing that annoys us about how BMW reports sales figures, it s that it does not list M cars separately. Seeing the glass half full, we at least know how vehicles carrying the world s most powerful letter cumulatively do every quarter. In Q3 shipments dropped by 3.9% to 47,057 cars. However, the high-performance division is still 2% up through September, at 146,574 vehicles.
BMW says strong demand for M2 cars is fueled by the M2 and M3 Touring. However, it s important to mention that M sales also include the lesser M Performance models. In 2022 and 2023, the i4 M50 was actually the most popular product. Controversial, I know. M boss Frank van Meel recently told our sister site Bimmer Today the i4 M50 was the best-selling model from M through September 2024. Also an electric M Performance model, the i5 M60 is gaining traction as well.
Last year, BMW M smashed the 200,000-car barrier for the first time ever by delivering 202,530 units. With only a quarter to go until the year ends, 2024 could be another record-setting year given the 2% advantage through September. The new M5 models are unlikely to move the needle since deliveries won t start until closer to the end of the year. 2025 will be the first full year for both the G90 sedan and G99 wagon.
On a related note, the BMW M boss just confirmed a next-generation M3 with a combustion engine. It s unlikely to come out before 2027 or 2028. Around the same time, we ll also see a fully electric M3 on the Neue Klasse platform. In the meantime, the current M3 in Touring guise will spawn a hot CS variant next year. As with last year’s M3 CS Sedan and the new M4 CS Coupe, it’ll be a limited-run special edition.
While the M division is having a great 2024, the BMW Group is not. BMW, MINI, and Rolls-Royce are all down through the first nine months of the year.
Source: BMW
First published by https://www.bmwblog.com
