BMW maintained its 2026 financial guidance on Wednesday, shrugging off a tariff-hike threat by US President Donald Trump as a bargaining chip, as first-quarter earnings beat expectations despite falling 25 per cent.
US auto tariffs are already weighing heavily on BMW’s margins at their current rate while fierce competition in China has put the German premium carmaker under pressure in its largest single market.
Trump’s announcement last week that he would raise the levy on EU auto imports from 15 per cent to 25 per cent rattled the German automotive industry which was already battling to absorb billions in additional levies on its cars.
But this is merely a threat intended to get the European Union to uphold its side of a trade deal, CEO Oliver Zipse said.
Shares in the company were up 4.7 per cent following the results and his comments.
BMW beat key profit expectations for the quarter even as a narrowing core margin underscored continued pressure on its business.
The company reported first-quarter pretax earnings at 2.3 billion euros ($2.70 billion), exceeding analysts’ forecast of 2.2 billion euros in a company-provided consensus.
BMW’s EBIT margin in its core automotive business – a key metric for its success – stood at 5.0 per cent, down from 6.9 per cent a year earlier but ahead of analysts’ forecast of 4.7 per cent.
Group revenue missed expectations, falling 8.1 per cent to 31 billion euros, after overall quarterly sales fell on weak demand in China.
Rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi were also under pressure as Chinese automakers extend their lead in their home market – the world’s largest – and push deeper into Europe, while US tariff threats and conflict in the Middle East cloud the outlook further.
BMW continues to expect a moderate decline in its group result this year and a core operating margin in a range of 4 per cent to 6 per cent, after 5.3 per cent in 2025.
As for the threatened tariff hike, Zipse showed understanding for Trump’s position and expected the EU to reduce its own tariffs on US imports to avoid an escalation.
“I understand this demand,” said Zipse. “I am hopeful that it will be of some use.”
Like many carmakers, BMW is turning to cost reductions to offset pressures from tariffs and high raw material costs in a weak global automotive market.
Unlike Volkswagen and Mercedes, however, it has so far managed to do so without cutting jobs, focusing on factory efficiencies and reduced investment, having developed the Neue Klasse platform to overhaul its product portfolio.
Tariffs, including US levies at their current rate but also an EU tariff on EVs made in China affecting BMW’s Mini brand, had a 1.25-percentage-point impact on BMW’s car margin in the first quarter.
