BMW Returns to Second Place in Germany’s EV Market Behind Volkswagen

BMW has reclaimed the second position in Germany’s new electric vehicle registration rankings, according to data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority. Volkswagen maintained its lead during the second quarter of the year, while Tesla, Škoda, and Audi slipped in the rankings.

Second Quarter Rankings and Key Figures

Volkswagen topped the list with a clear margin, registering 25,600 new electric vehicles during the quarter. BMW secured second place with over 19,000 cars, followed by Škoda with approximately 18,700 vehicles. Tesla registered around 16,000 cars, Mercedes about 15,700, and Audi around 12,400.

Significant Shift from the First Quarter

The current ranking marks a notable shift from the first quarter of the year, when Tesla, Škoda, and Audi held positions directly behind Volkswagen. At that time, BMW was in fifth place, with Mercedes in sixth. This change highlights the competitive dynamics within the German EV market.

Tesla’s Performance and Market Recovery

Despite dropping out of the top three, Tesla is still performing far better than last year, when its sales experienced a notable decline partly attributed to CEO Elon Musk’s political activities. In the first half of this year, Tesla sold about one and a half times the number of cars it managed throughout all of 2025 in Germany. Automotive expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer attributes this improvement to significant price cuts. He noted that the Model 3 and Model Y prices dropped by several thousand euros at the start of the year. "These are relatively older models, but they have become competitive due to their pricing, which is clearly reflected in registration numbers," he added.

BMW’s Pricing Strategy and New Models

Dudenhöffer also suggested that the pricing strategy may have helped BMW, which is currently offering substantial discounts. He noted that the Neue Klasse models from BMW have not yet impacted results, as customer deliveries have not begun on a wide scale. This indicates that the company is currently relying on competitive pricing to strengthen its market position.

Chinese Automakers Gaining Ground

Chinese automakers continue to hold a small but growing share of the German car market, particularly in the EV segment. BYD registered over 6,000 new electric cars during the second quarter, while Leapmotor recorded around 5,000 units. Both MG Roewe and Xpeng registered over 2,000 vehicles each. Collectively, Chinese brands are approaching Mercedes’ sales volume in the German EV market, with all of them posting strong growth rates.