Core Viewpoint - The traditional luxury car giants BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi) are facing significant growth challenges, with declining revenues and profits, particularly in the Chinese market, indicating a critical phase in their transformation efforts [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, BBA's financial results showed a mixed performance: BMW led with €67.685 billion in revenue, down 8% year-on-year; Mercedes-Benz followed with €66.377 billion, experiencing the largest revenue drop of 8.6% and a net profit decline of over 50%; Audi was the only brand with revenue growth, reaching €32.573 billion, but its net profit was only €13.46 billion, one-third of BMW's [2][4][5]. - The overall net profit for Mercedes-Benz fell by 55.8% to €2.688 billion, while BMW's net profit decreased by 29% to €4.015 billion, and Audi's net profit dropped by 37.5% [7][8]. Market Challenges - BBA collectively struggled in the Chinese market, with delivery volumes declining by 15.5% for BMW, 14.2% for Mercedes-Benz, and 10.3% for Audi [4][6]. - The entry-level models of BBA are facing intense competition from domestic brands, leading to significant sales declines in the mid-range price segment [7][8]. Electric Vehicle Transition - The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is critical for BBA, with distinct strategies emerging: BMW is leading in EV sales, with 220,600 units sold in the first half of 2025, a 15.7% increase; Audi's EV sales grew by 32.3%, while Mercedes-Benz's EV sales fell by 14% to 87,300 units [9][12][13]. - Audi is cautiously pursuing electrification, planning to launch new internal combustion and hybrid models between 2024 and 2026, while BMW is focused on its new generation platform to boost EV sales [12][13][14]. Strategic Adjustments - BBA is adjusting its electrification goals, with Mercedes-Benz postponing its target for full electrification to 2030, aiming for a maximum of 50% of new models to be electric or hybrid by that year [14][15]. - The competitive landscape is shifting, with BBA needing to enhance their smart technology capabilities alongside their electrification efforts to regain their former market dominance [15].

Core Viewpoint - The traditional luxury car giants BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi) are collectively facing growth bottlenecks, with declining revenues and profits, particularly in the Chinese market, indicating a deep transformation pain that requires immediate and decisive action to recover and seize future opportunities [1][3][6]. Group 1: Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, BBA's financial results showed a trend of "two declines and one increase" in revenue, with all three companies experiencing a "full-line decline" in net profits [3][6]. - BMW led with a revenue of €67.685 billion, despite an 8% year-on-year decline; Mercedes-Benz followed with €66.377 billion, suffering the largest revenue drop of 8.6% and a net profit halved; Audi was the only brand with revenue growth, reaching €32.573 billion, but its net profit was only €1.346 billion, one-third of BMW's [3][6]. - The decline in performance has led BBA to lower their profit forecasts, with Audi adjusting its annual revenue target to €65-70 billion and profit margin expectations down to 5-7%; BMW expects a decrease in profit margin to 5-7%; and Mercedes-Benz anticipates lower sales than the previous year, adjusting its return on sales from 6-8% to 4-6% [6]. Group 2: Market Challenges - BBA has collectively lost ground in the Chinese market, which is their most important single market globally, with delivery volumes declining by 15.5% for BMW, 14.2% for Mercedes-Benz, and 10.3% for Audi [5][6]. - The entry-level models of BBA, priced between 200,000 to 400,000 yuan, are facing fierce competition from domestic brands, leading to a decline in both volume and profit [8][9]. - BMW's popular models, such as the X3/X4 and i3/i4, saw delivery declines of 24.6% and 70.8%, respectively, indicating significant pressure in the mid-range segment [8][9]. Group 3: Electric Vehicle Transition - The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is seen as essential for BBA's recovery, with distinct strategies emerging: BMW is leading, Audi is gaining momentum, while Mercedes-Benz is lagging [11][12]. - Audi reported a 32.3% increase in pure electric vehicle sales, achieving a penetration rate of 12.8% with 101,400 units delivered; BMW's electric vehicle sales reached 220,600 units, up 15.7%, while Mercedes-Benz's sales fell by 14% to 87,300 units [15][16]. - BMW is focused on a clear electric future, with plans for a new generation platform expected to boost electric vehicle sales significantly, aiming for 50% of its sales to be electric by 2035 [16][17]. Group 4: Strategic Adjustments - Audi has adopted a more cautious approach to its electric vehicle strategy, delaying the complete phase-out of combustion engines and planning to launch new internal combustion and hybrid models from 2024 to 2026 [16]. - Mercedes-Benz has adjusted its electric vehicle strategy, aiming for a maximum of 50% of its sales to be new energy vehicles by 2030, while still planning to introduce new electric models [17]. - The BBA's transition to electric vehicles is characterized by a pragmatic return to rationality, facing the dual challenge of accelerating the transition while addressing shortcomings in smart technology [18].

Core Viewpoint - The traditional luxury car giants BBA (BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi) are facing significant growth challenges, with declining revenues and profits, particularly in the Chinese market, indicating a critical transformation phase for these companies [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - In the first half of 2025, BBA's financial results showed a mixed performance: BMW led with revenues of €67.685 billion, down 8% year-on-year; Mercedes-Benz followed with €66.377 billion, experiencing the largest revenue drop of 8.6%, and a net profit halved to €26.88 billion; Audi reported revenue growth to €32.573 billion but with a net profit of only €1.346 billion, one-third of BMW's [2][4][8]. - The overall net profit for BBA saw significant declines, with Mercedes-Benz's net profit dropping 55.8%, BMW's down 29%, and Audi's down 37.5% [7][8]. Market Challenges - BBA collectively struggled in the Chinese market, with delivery volumes down 15.5% for BMW, 14.2% for Mercedes-Benz, and 10.3% for Audi, making it the largest single market decline globally for these brands [4][10]. - The entry-level models of BBA are facing intense competition from domestic brands, leading to a decline in both volume and profit margins [9][10]. Strategic Adjustments - BBA has lowered their profit forecasts: Audi revised its revenue target to €65-70 billion with a profit margin expectation of 5-7%; BMW anticipates a decline in its automotive EBIT margin to 5-7%; Mercedes-Benz expects lower sales than the previous year with a revised return on sales (ROS) of 4-6% [4][10]. - The companies are adjusting their strategies towards electric vehicle (EV) production, with BMW leading in EV sales, while Mercedes-Benz has delayed its full electrification target to 2030 [11][16]. Electric Vehicle Transition - Audi reported a 32.3% increase in EV sales, leading BBA, with a total of 101,400 units delivered; BMW's EV sales reached 220,600 units, up 15.7%, while Mercedes-Benz saw a 14% decline in EV sales to 87,300 units [14][16]. - BMW is focusing on its new generation platform to boost EV sales, aiming for 50% of its sales to be electric by 2035, while Audi is cautiously expanding its EV lineup [15][16]. Future Outlook - The BBA's transition to electric and smart vehicles is seen as a necessary response to market pressures, with the potential for new growth opportunities emerging from current challenges [17].