BMW Unveils 2025 Strategy: NEUE KLASSE Innovation and Global Market Trends

BMW CEO Oliver Zipse presents the 2025 strategy, highlighting NEUE KLASSE, rising EV sales, and global market challenges in China, the US, and Europe. Discover key insights from the annual conference.

At the 2025 Annual Conference, BMW AG Chairman Oliver Zipse unveiled the company’s ambitious plans, spanning strategic growth, cutting-edge innovations, and adaptation to global economic challenges. The highlight of his speech was the NEUE KLASSE project, which he described as a turning point in BMW’s history.

Despite economic uncertainties, BMW remains optimistic. In 2024, the company delivered 2.45 million vehicles, with fully electric sales surging by over 13% to 426,594 units. This allowed BMW to maintain a strong position in the EV market, even as some competitors faced declining demand.

In a significant milestone, BMW overtook Tesla in European EV sales for the first time in July 2024, selling 14,869 electric vehicles, up 35% from the previous year. Meanwhile, Tesla’s European sales fell by 16%, totaling 14,546 vehicles.

The NEUE KLASSE lineup marks the beginning of a technological revolution for BMW, starting with the launch of the BMW iX3 in late 2025. More than just a new electric car, it represents an entirely new platform designed to set industry standards for the next decade. Key features include:

• Sixth-generation eDrive: +30% range, -40% battery costs, and 300 km charge in just 10 minutes.
• BMW Panoramic iDrive – a groundbreaking windshield-wide projection display.
• Upgraded electronics: 20 times more computing power, 30% weight reduction, and 600 meters less wiring.

These innovations are expected to reinforce BMW’s position in the premium market and increase its competitiveness against Tesla, Mercedes, and Chinese EV brands.

While BMW continues to expand, it faces significant challenges in key markets. In China, BMW sales dropped 13.4% as local EV manufacturers gained ground. Meanwhile, in the US, BMW managed to maintain its stronghold thanks to its South Carolina plant, one of the company’s largest export hubs.

However, trade barriers and tariffs are adding pressure. In Europe, new US tariffs have already impacted BMW’s earnings, with projected 2025 profit margins falling to 5-7%, below the previously expected 7.3%.

BMW is entering a new era, balancing bold technological advancements with a pragmatic economic strategy. NEUE KLASSE promises to be a game-changer, while the company’s flexible approach positions it as a leader in an uncertain global market. The next few years will be a critical test, but for now, BMW appears well-equipped to navigate the challenges ahead.

Source: press.bmwgroup.com