While the automotive world often wonders whether impressive production figures are just an exercise in image, the BMW plant in Regensburg proved in 2025 that the “Bavarian machine” does not fail. In a year marked by global uncertainties, the German factory set an absolute record of 356,901 vehicles, officially becoming the most productive BMW plant in Europe.
But the legitimate question remains: where do all these cars end up? Do they turn into real sales or become decorative pieces in huge warehouses?
Production in 2025 was dominated by the resounding success of the premium compact models. Here is how the work was divided among the approximately 9,000 employees:
| Model Range | Units Produced in 2025 | Key Variants Included |
| BMW X1 | 266,000 | iX1 (Electric), Plug-in Hybrid, ICE |
| BMW X2 | 90,000 | iX2 (Electric), M35i, ICE |
| Total Plant Output | 356,901 | All-time production record |
A key component of this success was electrification. Over 150,000 units were either fully electric or plug-in hybrid, confirming that BMW's bet on technological diversity (ICE, PHEV, BEV) on the same production line was a winning one.
Unlike other automakers that faced “mountains” of unfilled inventory in 2025, BMW reported a solid balance between supply and demand. Although production was at a record level, financial data from early 2026 indicates that:
European Demand “Exploded”: While the Chinese market stagnated, BMW sales in Europe grew by more than 7% in 2025. More than half of Regensburg production remained on the continent, where the X1 and X2 are segment leaders.
Healthy Inventories: At the end of 2025, BMW reported an inventory level of approximately 80 days of supply, a figure considered optimal in the premium industry to ensure fast deliveries without blocking capital in parking lots.
Electrifying Success: The iX1 and iX2 electric models, produced exclusively here, had constant waiting lists, meaning that many of the cars produced were already pre-sold before they rolled off the assembly line.
In 2026, the Regensburg plant is not only looking back on last year's record, but also celebrating four decades of activity. It all began in October 1986, when the first car — a legendary BMW 3 Series (E30) — left the factory.
"Regensburg has evolved from a regional unit to a central pillar of our global network. Reaching 8.7 million cars produced by the end of 2025 is a testament to German precision," BMW officials say.
With a milestone of 9 million vehicles to be reached this year, the plant is already preparing for the next challenge: integrating the new iFACTORY digitalized production standards and preparing for the next generation Neue Klasse.
If globally the Regensburg plant revved its engines to the max, in Romania the results were directly translated into registration figures that shattered any previous record. In 2025, for the first time in history, the BMW brand exceeded the psychological threshold of 5,000 units delivered on the local market, consolidating its position as the absolute leader in the premium segment.
This performance directly answers the question: "where do the cars produced in Regensburg go?" A good part of the 356,901 units ended up in Romanian garages, in a year in which the Bavarian brand became more popular than ever in our country.
The Romanian market confirms the passion for SUVs (SAV - Sports Activity Vehicle), representing over 54% of total sales. Here are the public's favorites:
BMW X5 (13% of total): The unchanging king of the large luxury segment, appreciated for its status and versatility.
BMW X1 (13% of the total): The star of the Regensburg plant, which equaled the X5 in Romanians' preferences thanks to its new design and the iX1 electric variant.
BMW 4 Series (12% of total): A pleasant surprise, demonstrating that the elegance of coupes and Gran Coupe variants still has a loyal audience.
BMW X3: Although in full transition to the new generation, it remains a mainstay in corporate and family fleets.
BMW 3 Series: The model that put Regensburg on the map 40 years ago continues to be the most popular choice in the sedan range.
The BMW M performance division also set a record with 336 units, where the ultra-exclusive BMW XM model accounted for over a quarter of sales.
Although prices may vary depending on promotions and packages (such as the famous M Sport), here are the reference values for the top models on the Romanian market today:
| Model | Starting Price (incl. VAT) | Engine/Drivetrain Type |
| BMW X1 sDrive18i | from €44,300 | Petrol / Mild-Hybrid |
| BMW iX1 (Electric) | from €54,000 | Fully Electric (BEV) |
| BMW 3 Series Sedan | from €47,500 | Diesel / Petrol / PHEV |
| BMW X5 xDrive30d | from €88,300 | Diesel Mild-Hybrid |
| BMW XM | from €175,000 | High-Performance PHEV |
In 2025, purchasing behavior in Romania was massively influenced by changes to the Rabla Plus program. While sales of 100% electric models experienced a slight decrease (-31%) due to the reduction in subsidies, Romanians massively shifted towards Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), a segment that grew by 27%.
Practically, 1 in 4 BMW cars sold in Romania last year had a charging socket, the rest being supported by 48V Mild Hybrid technology, which became standard for 62% of the range.
Verdict: Are the cars in stock?
Data from 2025 and early 2026 indicate that BMW Romania does not have a stock problem, but rather one of demand management. With a 6.9% increase in registrations, most of the units arriving in the country are already allocated to customers or have a very short turnover time in dealerships.
Regensburg produces records, and Romania consumes them with an uncontrollable appetite for technology and prestige.
40 years after its inauguration, the Regensburg plant proves that it is not just a monument to Bavarian industrial history, but the beating heart of BMW's success in the modern era. The production record of over 356,000 units set in 2025 was not a simple exercise in manufacturing strength, but a direct response to global — and local — demand that was at an all-time high.
The answer to the inventory dilemma is clear: cars produced in Regensburg do not gather dust in warehouses, but conquer the roads. The overwhelming success of the X1 and X2 models, coupled with the Romanian appetite for premium SUVs and hybrid technology, confirms that BMW's strategy of betting on flexibility and electrification was correct.
For Romania, the year 2025 marked the maturation of the premium market. With over 5,000 units delivered, BMW proved that it can balance the prestige of top models, such as the X5 or XM, with the pragmatism and efficiency of compact models "Made in Regensburg".
Looking ahead to 2026, with the 9 million vehicle milestone soon to be reached, BMW is not only celebrating its past, but also securing its future. In a changing automotive world, the figures from Regensburg and the success on the Romanian market tell the same story: driving pleasure remains a highly sought-after