Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft ($BMW)

Earnings Call Transcript · May 6, 2026

XTRA DE Consumer Discretionary Automobiles Earnings Calls 46 min

Highlights from the call

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, BMW reported revenues of €29.5 billion, which was in line with expectations, and earnings before taxes (EBT) of €1.5 billion, slightly below the consensus estimate. Management maintained its full-year guidance, signaling confidence despite a cautious outlook for the Chinese market. The company highlighted positive momentum from cost-saving measures and the upcoming Neue Klasse vehicle lineup, which is expected to drive future growth.

Main topics

  • Revenue Performance: BMW reported revenues of €29.5 billion for Q1 2026, which was 'in line with expectations'. Management noted that they outperformed the market in terms of EBT despite a challenging environment.
  • China Market Outlook: Management adopted a 'more cautious wording' regarding the outlook for China, acknowledging that 'too many in the financial community' were already cautious. This reflects concerns about the impact of reduced subsidies for BEVs in the region.
  • Cost-Saving Initiatives: BMW is continuing its cost-saving measures, with R&D and CapEx ratios heading towards strategic corridors of less than 5%. Walter Mertl stated, 'we are still moving on with our cost measures, as usual, with our programs'.
  • Neue Klasse Launch: The upcoming Neue Klasse lineup is expected to enhance BMW's competitive position, particularly in the BEV segment. Oliver Zipse emphasized that 'the product is on the point' and expressed confidence in its reception in China.
  • Tariff Impact: Management indicated that the tariff burden is expected to be lower in 2026 compared to previous years, with a guidance of 1.25% for the full year. This is seen as a potential positive for margins moving forward.

Key metrics mentioned

  • Revenue: €29.5B (vs €29.5B est, inline)
  • EBT: €1.5B (vs €1.6B est, miss by €0.1B)
  • R&D Ratio: 4.8% (heading towards strategic corridor of <5%)
  • CapEx Ratio: 4.5% (heading towards strategic corridor of <5%)
  • Tariff Burden: 1.25% (lower than previous year's 1.5%)
  • Dealer Sentiment: Positive (feedback from dealers in China regarding Neue Klasse)

BMW's Q1 results reflect a stable performance amidst a challenging environment, with management signaling confidence in future growth driven by cost efficiencies and new product launches. Investors should monitor the execution of the Neue Klasse rollout and the evolving dynamics in the Chinese market, as these will be critical for sustaining momentum.

Earnings Call Speaker Segments

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#1

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to our quarterly earnings call. Oliver Zipse and Walter Mertl are also back in the room with me. The line will be open shortly for your questions. The operator will give you some technical instructions now.

Operator

Operator
#2

[Operator Instructions] Our first question is from Patrick Hummel from UBS.

Patrick Hummel

Analysts
#3

Okay. I hope you can hear me now. It's Patrick from UBS.

Oliver Zipse

Executives
#4

Yes. We can hear you, Patrick.

Patrick Hummel

Analysts
#5

Perfect. Thank you for taking my questions. And of course, since I'm the first questioner here, I'd like to thank Oliver and say, over the past 10 years, I think you and your team had plenty of potential opportunities to take wrong decisions in a very volatile and rapidly evolving environment with a lot of surprises, obviously. And probably that includes some potential distractions from the daily mood of financial markets, which can flipto the extremes very quickly. But you kept the ship on course. And I think the result today of BMW stands here as a very robust as a very flexible company, and I think that is your legacy. So thank you very much for all the great dialogue and the challenges in our discussions over the last 7 years, and all the best. Oliver, if I just may start with you. I think I stood correctly and the translation was maybe not exactly clear. You said in the media call,earlier on that you expect the U.S. to look at export credits, which, of course, could be quite beneficiary to BMW. So I'm wondering, is your optimism in this regard based on the discussions you have locally with Governor, on Governor level, let's say? Or are there any signs also from Washington that this is the way forward? Because I think that's a pretty bold statement. We're not hearing that from anybody else, so I'm keen to understand better, and also what it potentially means for your industrial footprint decisions thinking here and scenarios. And my second question goes to Walter. Walter, you now chose a slightly more cautious wording on the China outlook. And frankly, too many in the financial community, that didn't really come as a surprise. We've always been a bit more cautious than you've been. I'm just wondering you kept the guidance for the group obviously unchanged. Is there any offset to the softer China view in your guide? Or are we just gravitating towards the lower end? And more specifically, you also alluded to positive momentum building in the coming quarters in the media call. Can you just remind us what the biggest EBT drivers that would sequentially get better will be? Is it Neue Klasse volumes? Is it further cost downs? Or what else is it?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#6

Good. Thank you very much. We start with Oliver.

Oliver Zipse

Executives
#7

Patrick, thank you for your kind words. I always enjoyed discussing. And if there is a little time lag between recognizing what is right and what we do, that's okay with us. To your questions. Export credits, we tried to explain on governmental level, but also on governance level in the United States, the industrial logic why it's good for the United States. Because in our industry, the volumes per unit are too small to build every car in every country at the specific volumes. So the sharing of volumes and distributing it around the world helps the United States and it helps Europe. If you don't do that, volumes will shrink and not grow. And if you look at the United States, their main political movement is growth and the second political movement is jobs in the United States. And this export credit boom helps the United States and Europe to do both. And we explained that logic, and they followed us. So it's not the question whether this is helpful for governments. It's more a matter, how do I put it in, how do we execute it? So for me, it's only a matter of execution and then it's a matter of timing. The most important ingredient is the first step in Brussels to implement the turn battery deal, and then we can do that second step. And we are not the only company. There are other in other industry, other competitors who also importers and exporters at the same time. And I think to put export on the focus is the next logical step in the United States, and therefore, I think there's a very good chance to implement it.

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#8

Thank you very much, Oliver. Walter, please.

Walter Mertl

Executives
#9

Patrick, yes, the wording was also explicitly chosen in March already, as we discussed. And so it is now in Q1. And I think we outperformed the market. We presented that one. Now with respect to EBT drivers in the Q2, Q3, Q4, well, there is, of course, a space in corridors; b, we are still moving on with our cost measures, as usual, with our programs. Don't forget that the R&D and the CapEx ratios are heading towards the strategic corridors, less than 5%. So we mentioned that already in March. I just want to underpin this topic. And of course, versus the actuals, our Neue Klasse is coming into place. Don't forget, in a lot of European countries, we have margin parity already apple with apple compared. And that, of course, contributes, too. So I think there is still room for improvements. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#10

Our next question is from Jose Asumendi from JPMorgan.

Jose Asumendi

Analysts
#11

Jose from JPMorgan. Oliver, my very best wishes for years ahead. Congratulations on the work done, setting the base for a very robust BMW. Thank you for all the collaboration in the past years. Two questions, please. Oliver, you were at the Beijing show. You met many of your competitors. Can you maybe share your overall impressions of how BMW is set up to compete in China? And from your extensive discussions, was there anything that stood out for you in terms of partnership, collaboration, supplier competitiveness, et cetera? Do you think this could be an opportunity for the firm for the coming years? Question two. Walter, just maybe can you help us map a little bit the headwinds and tailwinds in terms of fixed cost headwinds and maybe cost opportunities, which you mentioned in your speech, and how that evolves between Q2 and Q4 of this year?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#12

Thank you very much. We start again with Oliver.

Oliver Zipse

Executives
#13

Jose, when you walked over the Beijing Auto Show and compared what the BMW Group was representing and what the rest of the show was representing, by and large, there was a very focused presentation of most of the players in that industry. The majority was electric. The majority was the same segment of cars. Very few sedans, a lot of SAVs of larger size focused on autonomous driving. It's all the same. It was almost a monoculture. And of course, markets worldwide, they are not monolithic. They are widespread. They are differentiated by drivetrains. They are differentiated by size. They're differentiated by price segments. And then you looked at the BMW Group's end. There was a large portion of MINI with all drivetrains available. Then you look at the BMW stand, you saw individualization with all drivetrains. You saw V8s. You saw, of course, the Neue Klasse, fully electric. You saw smaller cars. You saw the new 7 Series. You saw our focus on hydrogen. So the full breadth of a premium player, you saw that. And that differentiates BMW, the variety, which represents the variety of market segments. And you don't have to look on a global scale. You see that in China as well. The markets are much wider than you would see on that fair. And that is a worrying thing. If the whole industry thinks they can concentrate on only one segment, larger cars, SAVs, electric, then something is wrong. On the other hand, this makes us more resilient to offer the whole breadth. Let's just look at the first 3 months. EV sales in China were plummeting, not only decreasing. They were plummeting. And what happened? Our ICE sales went up at the same minute. So especially China shows what it means to be a full segment, to be technology open and, at the end, also to be a global industry. That was proof that our strategy is right.

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#14

Thank you very much, Oliver. And now, Walter.

Walter Mertl

Executives
#15

Hello, Jose. The headwinds we had in quarter 1 year-on-year, I think I mentioned majority is about exchange rate and commodities headwind, which we mentioned already in Q3 last year and also in March. And the majority will be in the first half year of an impact of a high 3-million-digit number. And you saw already the first EUR 400 million, roughly EUR 400 million. And you will also see an impact in this direction in Q2 and then slowing down in Q3, Q4. That is clear based on the exchange rate development you saw last year already lasting now this year in the first half year. With respect to the tariffs. Now of course, Q1, there was not the extra U.S. tariff happening. So that was the hit now. Now if you remember rightly, Q2 to Q4, we had higher numbers on the tariff burden, and now in Q1, this is 1.25, it was 2 and 1.75 levels. So we are assuming, as you saw in our guidance of 1.25 percentage burden, that is less than full year burden of 1.5% last year. So that should be rather positive. And not to forget, on the R&D side, I also mentioned, expenses have been down by 12% whilst depreciation has been up as well as our capitalization ratio came down from 34% to 31%, which we also announced already in March. So that is, of course, also under IFRS a burden. And we compensated that in Q1. So we are still moving on, having, of course, more depreciation to come with every new start of production to come. Of course, that will be going forward, this discussion. But with respect to tailwind, as we mentioned, 60% more income on BEVs especially with the iX3, which is higher order income levels. That will be positive in the quarter come whenever we deliver these cars. And these are not preorders. These have been orders booked and, in some cases, already with some money on top of that. So that is positive. And with respect to this, as you know, we are not giving quarterly guidance. What we said in mind, we confirmed the guidance we have given in March. Thank you, Jose.

Operator

Operator
#16

Our next question is from Tim Rokossa from Deutsche Bank.

Tim Rokossa

Analysts
#17

Max, Oliver and Water, before I come to my questions, a lot of people on the call asked me to say a few words to you, Oliver, other than just thank you. And I think, obviously, very, very happy to do that. During the last earnings call, you said, Tim, I can't remember a single call without you. It almost feels like you're part of the BMW inventory by now. Now obviously, I just smile and I thought that I'm hopefully the good type of inventory, the Neue Klasse one, and that's something that sits for too long on your log. But if we leave those jokes aside, I think that line captures pretty well something that's very real, like consistently and the trust that we now build over so many years. And clearly, no one can say you didn't pick a very interesting time to be the CEO of BMW. You've been on a very, very long journey with us together. We had COVID. We had the semi crisis. We had a big industry transformation. We have China. We have tariffs. And now you leave with the Neue Klasse. And throughout all of this, we had big strategic debates. It's fair to say that we didn't always agree on everything. There were plenty of tough questions from all of us, but you were always very direct, was always very constructive and very respectful. And by the way, I can also only return this about always being present. It's absolutely not a given for a CEO to be on every single earnings call quarter-after-quarter, showing up, engaging, taking heads on. And you did that very consistently, and that really sets an industry standard, Oliver. And you generally always look very actively for the style. At the very beginning of your time as CEO, you invited me to your headquarters. You showed me around. Back then, you were still with Nicolas, already debated the very big themes. And I also remember this BDA automotive supplier conference 2 years ago where we were stage back to back. And that captures something that's very consistent throughout your role as CEO. You always thought the dialogue with all sorts of stakeholders not only when there was a concrete discussion on the table that had to be clarified, but also on the bigger questions, the strategic vision for the sector, the direction of this industry that is so enormously important for Germany and Europe. And what really set you apart on all of these discussions, Oliver, that's pretty clear, is you never felt like you had to explain. You focused always on what you believe was right and you did have the conviction to stick with this. And a very concrete example that I obviously remember from a capital market perspective is especially dedicated architecture. Many of us, including myself, also for a while argued that, that is inevitable. You were very clear that you saw that differently, and the slogan flexibility is key pretty much became associated with you among all of us. It was for you about protection options, adapting customers, not really telling them what they are supposed to do but giving them what they want to buy. And on behalf of the entire investor community, therefore, I would really like to thank you, Oliver, for this great discussion that we had over so many years and wish you all the very best for whatever comes next. And then I have 2 questions. The first one is...

Oliver Zipse

Executives
#18

Tim, can I respond shortly? You are one of the few, but there are some more who are still on the calls in the last 7 years. And you have been around for more than a decade, I think. So what you just said is very interesting because you are a follower of this industry, this complete developments, architecture, technologies, players, new players, old players. And that is very interesting that someone who has been observing the industry tries to summarize what's happening in this industry. And that's quite interesting because normally you only look at the quarter. So I would like to thank you for following us and learning together. We had to sharpen our arguments to withstand your questions. So this was also very helpful for us. a good learning experience. And I would like to return the thank you. It was superbly interesting, not only in the calls, but also when you're in us when we're discussing outside of the occasional events. So thank you for your support and your understanding. Now you can ask your questions. Tim?

Tim Rokossa

Analysts
#19

Sorry, the host muted me again. I have two questions. Oliver, the first one is then for you. Now that you leave the seat, you hand it over, you accomplished a lot of things, out of all the issues that this industry is still battling with, which one do you think from a capital market perspective we should really focus on and really worry about? And which one is perhaps really overdone and overplayed? And then secondly, Walter, to you a bit in the direction that some of my fellow peers were already trying to get to. I know you don't guide on a quarter, but look, we have no Chinese New Year in Q2. You might book the IEEPA refund. We have more selling days in general. Is it fair to arrive at the conclusion that Q2 should generally be stronger than Q1, bar any major external events?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#20

Thank you very much, Tim. We start with Oliver and then Walter. Oliver, please.

Oliver Zipse

Executives
#21

Thank you for your question. If you would look in the years or 5 years from now, in the year 2035, you would look back, I still think there's too much focus from the media but also from the capital markets on individual players, individual technologies, singular events. In 5 years' time, the players who will still survive, they have the competence to system integrate, to bring all technologies into a car, who build cars who have long-term quality or not falling apart after 1 or 2 years, who will still service after 5 years, it's a completely different game which is happening there, and who are able to differentiate between a singular hype and an overall business model. If you watch the industry today, actually, there are too much bets going on, too much bets on a singular technology that might happen. But this cannot be endured. So much money is lost in this industry on bets. So system integrators,who are able to follow regulation and, at the end, have still a business model on high-quality products, that's the key of everything. And in 5 years from now, to follow CO2 regulations specifically and remain a profitable business will be more or less the key to everything.

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#22

Thank you very much, Oliver. Walter, please.

Walter Mertl

Executives
#23

Well, Tim, yes, I'm not guiding quarters, but just for the years. But of course, you have been absolutely right. There should be a potential once we finally clarified everything with the customer authorities that we book the IEEPA. Otherwise, of course, not. And the impact is, as we stated in March, not the biggest one. But tariffs was higher in Q2 last year. There's also a fact. But who knows what's going on, right? We have a clear understanding what we expect, as we described in our guidance already. And don't forget the seasonality, of course. Usually we have higher fixed costs after Q1. So that's the ordinary bit. So don't overstress this. But of course, we are working on, as you know us, we execute. Thank you, Tim.

Operator

Operator
#24

Our next question is from Stephen Reitman from Bernstein.

Stephen Reitman

Analysts
#25

And also again, I want to add also just to wish all the best to Oliver. Again, I've got an even longer perspective on BMW than Tim. And BMW always stand for integrity, which I think has been very much we've seen under Oliver's stewardship. And I think, in particular, one other element that was not discussed was during the whole crisis the German auto industry faced in 2015 with diesel gate and beyond how well BMW actually fared in all of that with actually really avoiding that basically actually a technology that actually was completely compliant. And I think shows something about BMW and what goes on in this company. On to my questions, I think particularly, as you leave the company and with Neue Klasse now really on this big rollout phase, just sort of what's your estimate? Or what is the assessment you're finding from your Chinese dealers and what you're hearing as well about how they feel about Neue Klasse in the China market? We've seen obviously the -- we know that BMW still stands for quality. It's a very aspirational brand. But I don't know, obviously, the problem for legacy car makers have been not being able to keep pace with some of the technology changes that come from the Chinese brands. How is the feeling now to which extent that Neue Klasse has breached that gap and as a missing part of the puzzle?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#26

Thank you very much. Walter, please .

Walter Mertl

Executives
#27

Hello, Stephen. Well, we also had in China a brand summit and brand night together with the dealers, and that was received very, very well, especially that they see and feel that we are on eye-level with the Chinese OEMs locally. And that's the positive outlook. They have been also already very, very positively surprised by the 3 Series, which we also presented in China, and that makes everything positive. Not to forget that we helped the dealer network in performing better. That is more or less finished. Our dealer rightsizing exercise, of course, this is moving on always. But all these things together, how you treat the dealer network, how we organize ourselves, plus the products to come is a positive spirit on their side, what we feel. So that makes it positive for us. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#28

Our next question is from Philippe Houchois from Jefferies. .

Philippe Houchois

Analysts
#29

And of course, Oliver, thank you very much for your leadership and your availability over the years. The have a couple of questions. The first one is, I think you've been as a group, very steadfast in saying 8% to 10% margin long term. And those targets were given the time when China was an excess profit market. There were no tariffs. And I guess I'm just trying to understand what new levers you've been able to identify to actually compensate for that and stick to that 8%, 10% margin corridor. And specifically, I think at some point, there was a discussion the Neue Klasse class production might lead to 10% to 15% production cost per unit. And I'm just wondering if that's what you already observed already in Debrecen where you've started producing the Neue Klasse. And my second question is on this FCA provision that you've taken up on the U.K., I think at some point, Walter, you may have mentioned that you found the basis of that investigation a bit flawed.and that you would fight it. At the same time, today, you're giving in. Do you still think that there's a road map where this is the wrong investigation, when we'll potentially see a reversal of that provision?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#30

Thank you very much, Philippe. Walter?

Walter Mertl

Executives
#31

Philippe, well, the 8% to 10% is not unreachable. Don't forget that it is 3x1 point we have to achieve. One is on the performance side. We love our BMW ecosystem, and we can do even better. Not to forget our comp, which is also positive for the contribution side. Not to forget that the Gen 6 Neue Klasse has a much better contribution margin than the Gen 5, as we all know for a while. So that's the performance on EBT point. Second one is, of course, we are doing our homework, working on the material cost side, on the manufacturing cost side, on the warranty cost side. If you have a better quality, you have to provision less warranty costs, which is also contributable to the EBT margin, not to forget and, of course, also logistics, et cetera, to be optimized with our global footprint. So that's the second EBT point. The third EBT point is also homework, is our fixed cost levels, which we are also coming down, as we mentioned already, step by step in '26 and '27 and also in '28. Not to forget one choker, I would call it, which we never forget to mention. This is PPA, purchase price allocation depreciation, which is always accounted for 1.1, 1.2 EBT points. This is only lasting until mid '28. So you will have already a half year effect in '28 and a full effect in '29. So with these elements to come, there is a chance to come back to 8% to 10%. Of course, we are not naive. There is always something coming around the next corner, whether there are tariffs or other crisis points. And we mitigate as they come along, and we have plans already to do so. So I think that for your first questions. And the production cost comes along with it, right? So we use new technique and the latest procedures. And of course, that is also contributing, too. Now your second question on FCA provision, you hit the nerve on my side, honestly, because we and I personally had intense work together with this authority with FCA. We did a lot of really many, many amendment proposals we made between October, the draft version and our submission then in December. We contributed to, in my eyes, positively to come to a proper and a proportionate solution for all parties. But I'm really disappointed that this was not reflected. Some bits and bobs have been reflected, but hardly anything. And that is really disappointing. So I continue regard the scheme as unfair and disproportionate. And was our legal brands challenged? I have to say, without the participation of a meaningful board of other U.K. lenders, especially all banks. And I have also an understanding about their situation. Such an undertaking by the group of BMW would not be in the best interest of its shareholders, I think, particularly considering the level of ongoing uncertainty pursuing a legal challenge would create. And I think we have to consider that, and that's the reason why we're not challenging it, because we can't do that without the banks and without more than just ourselves. That is my position on FCA. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#32

Our next question is from Stuart Pearson from Oxcap Analytics .

Stuart Pearson

Analysts
#33

One detailed, one on one just on China. Just maybe for, Walter, on the bridge, the other positive EUR 400 million. Just wonder if you can just shed a little more color on what the moving parts were in there. In particular, I think you mentioned warranties being a tailwind there, but I can see obviously there's an outflow there, I guess, adjusting for that on the cash flow side. So just wonder what's going on warranties, whether that is -- I hear you mentioned it on the longer-term outlook as well, whether that's a source of potential tailwinds that can continue in the next couple of years. Generally, it's been a headwind for the industry. So I just wonder what's going on there. And then the second question, I mean, going back to China, and Oliver, I hear what you're saying in terms of the breadth of product offer that BMW has in China. But in some ways, I guess, having to maintain that breadth of product range for the global market might be costing BMW and the European peers in China that has not been focused on the pure EV segment. And I just wondered, particularly you mentioned those large SUVs that dominated in China, the Chinese moving to the premium segment. And I guess that is going to be a monumental challenge for a segment where it probably is a disproportionate of part of your profitability in China. So how confident are you, I guess, with the X5 and above that footprint in China in the next couple of years as we see the Chinese move into that and, of course, Mercedes localizes the GLE as well?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#34

Okay. Thank you very much, Stuart. Walter, please.

Walter Mertl

Executives
#35

Stuart, well, let's start with the first question to my bridge on other positions of this EUR 400 million. So my manufacturing cost side is a low 3-digit positive element. My warranty side is also a low 3-digit positive element. Don't forget, we didn't have to add any extra provisions for than previous years, maybe. But of course, the tariff burden is also in this other section. And we had last year only EU, China burden with our MINI electric cars, but nothing on the U.S. side. Whilst now, I'm having it. So now I'm experiencing 1 quarter hit whilst last year was lower. So this is the negative position on it. But with respect to the Neue Klasse in China, coming to your next question, and the footprint, we are bringing this confidently into the market. As I mentioned beforehand, we have this brand summit and the brand night. The spirit of the dealers is very positive. They see our tech levels coming with the Neue Klasse on eye level. So the product is on the point. And with respect to your question on the X5 footprint, if you have a look, even now in Q1, we sold more X5s at a better transaction price this year than in Q1 '25, not to forget. So we did a lot of product enhancements but also could achieve a better transaction price level. Now also a new X5 is coming in China in '27. And also that one, we have presented already to the dealers, the dealer network. And they also confirmed this is on the point because it also has all techniques of the Neue Klasse, also the momentum stack. And not to forget, different than others, we also provide the X5 with all car parts in China. So we have the offer, which is relevant. And all the other ones, I don't think that we just have to compare ourselves, as you ask for GLE. It's about all Chinese OEMs. And I think we don't have to hide for. That's also what we get as a feedback from all dealers. And that makes me confidently looking into the future also for China.

Operator

Operator
#36

Our next question is from Horst Schneider from Bank of America.

Horst Schneider

Analysts
#37

It's Horst here. I have got a few left. The first one is related to your volume/price/mix line in Q1. So we have seen BEV sales, minus 20% in Q1. I could imagine that triggered positive mix while it seems that the price turned down quite a bit in Q1. Is that now a general trend that the pricing gets tougher in the premium market? And what happens if the BEV sales start to increase again with the ramp-up of the Neue Klasse? I know there are a lot of moving parts because, as you said, you also launched the ALPINA and you launched the X5 and there are a lot of new models coming in H2, which compensate maybe higher BEV mix, but what should we think about this equation, price versus product mix going forward? Then a follow-up to this midterm target question from Philippe, a question that I also always ask myself. I think a general problem in the premium market is that the volumes do not really grow anymore for the established players. You do well, you take even market share by having flat sales. But nevertheless, the top line is not growing. So therefore, my question is, if you want to achieve these midterm targets, this requires the assumption that the volume growth picks up again and that the price/mix impact gets less negative than it is right now. So that's question number two. And then the last small question that I have is when we look at the high oil price in Europe, we see this BEV increase, which might be related to that. In the U.S., it seems we do not have any impact. But beyond BEVs, you see in the U.S. already that we have got a higher PHEV demand or that the people switch from large engines to small engines. So what what's the role of fuel efficiency in the purchase decision?

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#38

Good. Thank you very much, for Schneider. The question will be answered by Oliver.

Oliver Zipse

Executives
#39

Yes. Thank you, Horst, for your question. I would like to have a twofold answer. The first one is very concrete. If you look a little bit deeper on our BEV global sales, then two things happen at the same time. They're going down in the United States and China quite rapidly, but they're almost fully compensated by higher ICE sales. Europe is exactly the other way. They're going up. They're above previous year level, and that is even before the ramp-up of the Neue Klasse. So you have to look a little bit deeper. It's all happening exactly at the same time. In China, it's mainly caused by the reduction of the subsidies for BEV cars. And that puts also a different view of what is happening in China because only roughly 30% of the whole market is BEV. The rest is NEVs, it's not BEVs. So it's cars with plug-in hybrids, it's cars with the range extenders. And that will be a continuing trend. And what worries us that Europe thinks they can overhaul or accelerate on the BEV sales while China is putting the brakes on it. So that is a question mark where we think. But of course, our strategy to be flexible on the technology will help us there. More on the strategic side, what is premium in the future? Premium of the future is product quality, specifically long-term product quality. It does make sense to push cars in the market who lose their resale value after 2 or 3 years' time. This is not premium. So it's not future -- in a new car what is the residual value after 1, 2, 3 or even 5 years? I'm not even talking about historic cars of 15 or 20 years. That is premium. The second thing is premium is system integration. It's not feature count. We discussed what we saw in Beijing, again, feature count over feature count. That's not the point. How does it apply together? How does it fit? And is it for someone who drives the car, not while it's standing but while it's driving. Does it fulfill the function they are opposed to? And the third one is safety. And I think that becomes one of the foremost criteria for premium of the, future safety. No casualties, no risks, absolute promises. Promises to be premium means no casualties, no risk in driving the car. And I think that will define premium of the future, and I think we are well underway to fulfill that promise. Thank you.

Operator

Operator
#40

Our next question is from Christian Frenes from Goldman Sachs. .

Christian Frenes

Analysts
#41

And Oliver, I'd like to also extend my congratulations and best wishes for your tenure. I think the decision-making has been superb with hindsight, and your focus on flexibility as well as profitability has been appreciated by everyone. I have two questions. First of all, maybe zooming in on China, specifically the Neue Klasse ramp. My question would be, how are you thinking about pricing for the Neue Klasse in China? And to what extent can you comment on that? And also when do you anticipate setting that? And my second question is just on the FinCo. Just I noticed the penetration rate jumped to 51.6% from 43%. So I'm just wondering, Walter, if you could give us some more color on maybe geographically, some of the dynamics we're seeing there that have caused that.

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#42

Thank you very much, Christian. Walter, please. .

Walter Mertl

Executives
#43

Christian, well, on the Neue Klasse ramp-up, I think you know that we are going to start the iX3 in Q4. And then in '27, we are going to move on with the 3 Series, et cetera, as we mentioned also in February. The pricing will be always determined just before the start of sales, not when we present things. And I think that is most relevant, as we all are aware of the market dynamics in China. So we will let you know and, believe me, we do know what we want to do. On the FinCo side, the penetration ratio uplift, of course, we shouldn't forget about that in the first half year, China had hardly any penetration ratio because of these commissions paid by other banks. Now end of June, as we remember, the commission structure has changed as the party has reminded some banks and, hence, commissions came down to the right level, which we also always fought for. And with that, our penetration ratio in the second half year of '25 elevated. And now we are just running on the same level again. And that, in combination, ends up with us 51% in Q1. And the young used car is also included in our new cars, not to forget. You find a note also that we changed the definition. Of course, young used cars on our side is also classified as new. It is not an effect on the total business because it was always a total business, whether we have new young used cars or used cars, BMW, MINIs, et cetera. So that is included always just about a percentage ratio. And that is accounting for 2.5% to 3%, more or less that level.

Operator

Operator
#44

Our final question is from Henning Cosman from Barclays. .

Henning Cosman

Analysts
#45

So a couple of clarifications, and maybe one first to Walter again on this other cost savings. Thanks for telling us already what was in there in Q1. I'm a little bit more interested in what that's going to look like going forward. I appreciate you don't want to guide on quarters, but if you could perhaps say if we're talking about EUR 1 billion or so in cost savings for the year as a whole. You obviously had an excess of EUR 2 billion last year, and it's quite a big swing factor. So would be great to understand what sort of ballpark you're managing towards for the full year. To the clarifications. Can I just clarify that, Oliver, really interesting, your comments about the offset mechanism with respect to U.S. tariffs. But can I just clarify that, that's not included in your unchanged 125 basis points full year tariff assumption? And then finally, Walter, I think all your statements are really constructive. Could I perhaps get you to say that if I paraphrase and put this all together, you're kind of telling us you're going to be in the top half of the Automotive EBT margin guidance range for the full year? And Oliver, all the best.

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#46

Thank you very much. So the question will be answered fully by Walter.

Walter Mertl

Executives
#47

Henning, so with respect to other costs, I'm clearly not having quarterly definitions, and we always have to have in mind the year-on-year position. We clearly stated already in March that we still move on, on the cost savings side on all the elements you can see. And you see that nominal in my reports, and you will also see that going forward. But I'm not giving you any indication about the amount. With respect to your tariff question, offset mechanism is not included in my one in the quarter. Clearly not. And with respect of your direction of my corridor, I think a corridor is still a corridor, and that is between 4% and 6%. And we concluded in quarter 1 with 5.0%. And all the rest is to come. We confirmed our guidance of 4% to 6%. I think there is nothing more to say. Thank you, Henning.

Maximilian Schöberl

Executives
#48

Thank you very much for your last words. So ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much. Thank you for joining us. Bye-bye, and [Foreign Language] from Munich.

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