[LuisBoston]

Caught this tidbit on Jalopnik this morning.

BMW, in an April 29 memo, told U.S. retailers that it will "postpone" electric vehicle production in May.

The memo did not provide a reason for the decision, and a BMW spokesperson declined to comment on the company's communications with its dealers.

Anyone inside a dealership have more info?

https://www.jalopnik.com/1847700/aut...ariff-victory/

[NomoTesla]

Maybe just balancing production to meet demand. If there are plenty of their EVs already on dealer lots, they may want to sell through some of that before producing more. Just a guess.

I believe all of BMW's EVs are made in Germany, yes? As such, it could also be a tariff-related move. All the childishness coming out of DC lately is appalling.

[manitou202]

Porsche shifted production to the US to build up inventory before the tariffs went into effect. I'm wondering if BMW did something similar. They might have enough inventory to carry US dealers for most of Q2, so they can wait out the tariff clown show. Then if the tariffs still remain, raise prices like everyone else.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by manitou202

Porsche shifted production to the US to build up inventory before the tariffs went into effect. I'm wondering if BMW did something similar. They might have enough inventory to carry US dealers for most of Q2, so they can wait out the tariff clown show. Then if the tariffs still remain, raise prices like everyone else.

Can you let me know which Porsche models are produced in the US, as I’m at a loss to remember which models that might be?

[Spencer518]

I thought all Porsche and Audi models were imported

[oberpfalz]

Maybe a VW Atlas looks a little like a Cayenne?

[javapro]

Originally Posted by NomoTesla

Maybe just balancing production to meet demand. If there are plenty of their EVs already on dealer lots, they may want to sell through some of that before producing more. Just a guess.

I believe all of BMW's EVs are made in Germany, yes? As such, it could also be a tariff-related move. All the childishness coming out of DC lately is appalling.

Yes, all BMW EVs are made in Germany for now. Upgrades to the BMW Manufacturing's Plant Spartanburg have been completed to prepare it to build at least six fully electric models by 2030. However, there is no word yet when that will start. Also, the new battery assembly plant right next to the Spartanburg plant should be completed sometime in 2026, so BMW will definitely start building EVs in the US in a year or so.

[oberpfalz]

Electrek is misinterpreting the production pause on EVs to include production at Spartanburg:
https://electrek.co/2025/04/30/bmw-p...no-price-hike/
I am sure they know the only electrified BMWs at Spartanburg are the X5 xDrive50e and the XM.

[Bmwno6]

A lot of auto manufacturers are holding back on plans and projections till the tariff situation is sorted out. I think, one way or an other European and other manufacturers will bring production to the US to serve the US market. It will not happen overnight but probably a long term commitment. But only a guess.

[thebishman]

Originally Posted by Bmwno6

A lot of auto manufacturers are holding back on plans and projections till the tariff situation is sorted out. I think, one way or an other European and other manufacturers will bring production to the US to serve the US market. It will not happen overnight but probably a long term commitment. But only a guess.

The cost to build a full size, modern manufacturing plant, (as opposed to one that just assembles foreign parts and that would still be slammed with tariffs), is in the billions of $s. Why would BMW commit to this, when next week the tariffs could be rescinded, or they certainly would be should there be a marked change in the administration in future years?
Personally I believe many of the European companies are just going to wait this out, and existing commitments from Asian companies in particular that have been planned for years will be the ones that continue.

[LuisBoston]

BMWBlog has what's likely the best summary:

1. Pricing steady through June
2. Production of US-bound EVs is halted for May

https://www.bmwblog.com/2025/05/01/b...-through-june/

Speaking of electric vehicles, BMW also noted in the same memo that it will halt EV production for the U.S. market in May. The company carefully used the word “postpone,” signaling a temporary pause in the production of U.S.-bound EVs.

This, combined with the other Baltimore Banner article on vehicle stockpiling leads me to think BMW is slowing down imports so that it's not stuck with a bunch of expensive EVs that it could sell for higher prices in a couple of months, to start to recover some of the tariffs. So why make/send over more now?

All in all, this is supply reduction and resultant higher costs to the American customer. Not matter which way its sliced. The bad news keeps coming.

[manitou202]

Originally Posted by thebishman

Can you let me know which Porsche models are produced in the US, as I’m at a loss to remember which models that might be?

I should have said Porsche shifted vehicle shipments from Europe to the US to build US inventory before the tariffs.

Porsche does not build any vehicles in North America.

Sorry for the confusion.

[Windshieldfarmer]

Originally Posted by LuisBoston

BMWBlog has what's likely the best summary:

1. Pricing steady through June
2. Production of US-bound EVs is halted for May

https://www.bmwblog.com/2025/05/01/bmw-extends-price-protection-through-june/



This, combined with the other Baltimore Banner article on vehicle stockpiling leads me to think BMW is slowing down imports so that it's not stuck with a bunch of expensive EVs that it could sell for higher prices in a couple of months, to start to recover some of the tariffs. So why make/send over more now?

All in all, this is supply reduction and resultant higher costs to the American customer. Not matter which way its sliced. The bad news keeps coming.

Originally Posted by thebishman

The cost to build a full size, modern manufacturing plant, (as opposed to one that just assembles foreign parts and that would still be slammed with tariffs), is in the billions of $s. Why would BMW commit to this, when next week the tariffs could be rescinded, or they certainly would be should there be a marked change in the administration in future years?
Personally I believe many of the European companies are just going to wait this out, and existing commitments from Asian companies in particular that have been planned for years will be the ones that continue.

I agree…the timetable and capital investment needed to relocate manufacturing facilities on a wholesale scale is simply too much for what might prove to be a 3 year policy blip. I suspect if I want to drive an IX for the next three or four years I’ll being buying my IX at lease termination. BMW won’t absorb a 25% tariff…which makes the IX too expensive (relative to value). NK might become an option by 2027…we shall see.

[VersatenBMW]

So is have a 2026 ix 60 that has a VIN and has proceeded through production to quality check but am has been sitting there for about 3 weeks. Would bmw be delaying that car as well or is that one considered as sold

[vitaman]

Good question.
Once you signed a sales agreement, that price must be honored by law.
Also true with lease or finance rate you may have signed off on. However you have no control over when they will ship the 60 to the States. Hopefully it will not get caught up with the Company wide halt on EVs. Would seem to be no advantage for BMW to not ship an already built to order vehicle.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by vitaman

Good question.
Once you signed a sales agreement, that price must be honored by law.
Also true with lease or finance rate you may have signed off on. However you have no control over when they will ship the 60 to the States. Hopefully it will not get caught up with the Company wide halt on EVs. Would seem to be no advantage for BMW to not ship an already built to order vehicle.

The problem is that you sign the lease/sales agreement only when you take delivery of the vehicle. That is the reason you can always change your mind and don't accept the vehicle just like the dealer can and not honor the agreed upon price (happened to my neighbor back in 2021 when the Open Road BMW of Edison refused to honor the deals for all its lease brokers).

[LuisBoston]

Originally Posted by vitaman

Would seem to be no advantage for BMW to not ship an already built to order vehicle.

Unless there’s a negotiation to reduce/eliminate the tariff.

[Maverick241]

Originally Posted by Windshieldfarmer

I agree…the timetable and capital investment needed to relocate manufacturing facilities on a wholesale scale is simply too much for what might prove to be a 3 year policy blip. I suspect if I want to drive an IX for the next three or four years I’ll being buying my IX at lease termination. BMW won’t absorb a 25% tariff…which makes the IX too expensive (relative to value). NK might become an option by 2027…we shall see.

If the NK isn't delayed because of this mess.

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by vitaman

Good question.
Once you signed a sales agreement, that price must be honored by law.
Also true with lease or finance rate you may have signed off on. However you have no control over when they will ship the 60 to the States. Hopefully it will not get caught up with the Company wide halt on EVs. Would seem to be no advantage for BMW to not ship an already built to order vehicle.

You don't typically sign a lease or sales agreement until the car is at the dealership and ready for delivery. This is why you can always cancel and walk away from an order even after it arrives at the dealership.

[javapro]

Originally Posted by LVBMW

You don't typically sign a lease or sales agreement until the car is at the dealership and ready for delivery. This is why you can always cancel and walk away from an order even after it arrives at the dealership.

And equally the dealer can walk away as well

[LVBMW]

Originally Posted by javapro

And equally the dealer can walk away as well

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by javapro

The problem is that you sign the lease/sales agreement only when you take delivery of the vehicle. That is the reason you can always change your mind and don't accept the vehicle just like the dealer can and not honor the agreed upon price (happened to my neighbor back in 2021 when the Open Road BMW of Edison refused to honor the deals for all its lease brokers).

I signed my contract four months before the car arrived. The dealer did this for me so I would be eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit after the requirements changed in August of 2022.

I just asked and they said sure!