BMW stays on course despite Trump's tariffs
European carmakers are still digesting a new 15% tariff agreed between the European Union and U.S. President Donald Trump, which is lower than the current rate but still poses a major obstacle to their export-focused business.
Of the deal, BMW said it assumed negotiations were ongoing, adding that its forecast included mitigating measures in response to increased tariffs.
In 2025, the group expects a tariff-related impact of around 1.25 percentage points on its automotive segment's profit margin, the company said. In the first half of the year, the impact was some 1.5 points.
In the second quarter, the EBIT margin in the segment came in at 5.4%, just missing analysts' forecast for 5.5% in a company-provided poll, but within its 2025 target range of 5.0% to 7.0%.
BMW's results come after peers Volkswagen(VOWG.DE), opens new tab and Mercedes-Benz (MBGn.DE), opens new tab reported hefty blows to their earnings and cut their outlooks.
BMW, whose biggest plant is in the United States and is the country's top auto exporter by value, has been more upbeat.
"Our footprint in the U.S. is helping us limit the impact of tariffs," CFO Walter Mertl said in a statement.
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