BMW Q3 Sales Surge Reveals Surprising Returns: i3 and 6 Series Pop Up in US Figures Amidst Strong Growth
BMW of North America has announced a robust 24% increase in sales for the third quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, defying global uncertainties and supply chain volatility. With 275,385 cars sold in the US so far this year (an 8.5% increase year-on-year), BMW is showcasing remarkable resilience. However, the most unexpected twist in these impressive figures is the surprise appearance of two models long absent from the US market in “new” sales: the i3 and the 6 Series.
Strong Q3 Performance Despite Global Headwinds
BMW’s latest sales report paints a remarkably positive picture for the German luxury automaker in the US market.
- Significant Growth: In Q3 2025, BMW sold a staggering 96,886 vehicles in the US, marking a 24% increase over Q3 2024.
- Year-to-Date Success: So far this year, the brand has retailed 275,385 cars, representing an 8.5% rise compared to the previous year.
- Defying Trends: This strong performance comes amidst a turbulent global landscape, characterized by tariff uncertainties, volatility in German supply chains, and the accelerating shift towards electrification, which has left many manufacturers feeling nervous about impending hybrid and fully electric deadlines.
The Unlikely Return of the i3
Among the Q3 sales figures, the mention of a brand-new i3 sale has certainly raised eyebrows.
- A “Vintage” EV: The BMW i3, first released in 2013 and concluding its nine-year production run in 2022 (with over 250,000 units built), is considered “vintage” compared to modern EVs. Its technology, however, laid the foundation for BMW’s subsequent electrification efforts, making it a milestone model.
- Surprise Sale: The sale of a brand-new i3 three years after production ended is a genuine surprise. It could be a rare, previously unsold unit found in inventory, a happy coincidence in a market that is eagerly anticipating the potential of similarly named future compact electric models like the iX3 (launching next year) and the forthcoming i1 and i2 (set for 2027), which signify a broader return of compact cars to BMW’s lineup.
A Blast from the Past: The 6 Series GT Reappears
Even more surprising than the i3 is the unexpected mention of a 6 Series GT in the sales report.
- Long Absence: The 6 Series GT ceased production for the North American market back in 2020. This means there could have been a five-year gap where no new units were officially sold in the US.
- Enthusiast’s Dream: It’s a whimsical thought that somewhere, a dedicated enthusiast who had mourned the end of the 6 Series GT era in 2020 might have stumbled upon a previously unsold unit, fulfilling a long-held dream.
- Positive Market Indicator: Regardless of the specific circumstances behind these unique sales, their appearance in the Q3 report underscores BMW’s strong performance and robust demand in the US market. If these trends continue, BMW could potentially deliver even more unexpected “surprises” in its future sales figures.
Also Read – California Regulators Move to Suspend or Revoke License Amid Consumer Complaints
