Who is BMW?
BMW, short for Bayerische Motoren Werke, is a German car and motorcycle maker based in Munich. Its origins are in aircraft engines, and it began making motorcycles before cars. Today it is part of the BMW Group, whose other marques include MINI and Rolls-Royce. Its range stretches from compact hatchbacks to large saloons and SUVs.
What are BMW’s main model lines?
The numbered ranges give the line-up its shape. The 1 Series sits at the compact end, while the 3 Series is a central saloon and estate line; the 5 Series and 7 Series are larger saloons. The 2, 4, 6 and 8 Series include coupés and other body styles. The X models are SUVs, from the X1 to the larger X5, X6 and X7. M-badged cars such as the M2, M3 and M5 bring a performance focus, while the Z3, Z4 and Z8 are two-seat roadsters.
The 3 Series and 5 Series have especially long histories in these figures, both appearing from 1984 onward. The M3 begins in 1989. Across EU registrations from 2010 to 2025, the 3 Series leads BMW’s listed models, followed by the 1 Series, 5 Series and X1. The X3 and X5 also feature prominently, alongside the 4 Series and 2 Series.
How has the range changed?
BMW’s range has grown from its established saloon lines to include more body styles and SUV families. The 1 Series appears from 2006, the X3 from 2004 and the X1 from 2010; later additions include the 2 Series Gran Coupé and X7. The range has also included compact people-carriers: the 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, with the latter ending in 2023.
The i name marks BMW’s electric cars. The ActiveE appears briefly in 2011, followed by the i3 and the plug-in hybrid sports car i8 in 2013 and 2014. Later electric models include the i4, iX, iX1, iX2, i5, i7 and iX3, bringing battery power to both saloon and SUV shapes.
Where are BMW cars represented?
Official BMW figures cover the European Union, the United Kingdom, France, the United States and Canada. The EU figures are registrations. Consumption and emissions figures depend on each market’s test procedure: Europe uses WLTP or, for older results, NEDC; the US uses EPA testing, and Canada uses the 5-cycle method. As the procedures differ, results from one market are not directly equivalent to those from another.
Questions and answers
Where is BMW from?
BMW is a German maker headquartered in Munich and part of the BMW Group.
Which BMW model lines have the longest history in these figures?
The 5 Series, 7 Series and 3 Series appear from 1984; the M3 begins in 1989.
Does BMW make electric cars?
Yes. Electric models include the i3, i4, i5, i7, iX, iX1, iX2 and iX3.
Why can official fuel-consumption figures differ between markets?
Markets use different test procedures: WLTP or NEDC in Europe, EPA testing in the United States and the 5-cycle method in Canada.