The auto industry is sometimes full of contradictions, at least on the surface. While there are more and more “green” vehicles and fewer and fewer models equipped with large-displacement engines, BMW has confirmed that last year it sold more V8 engines than ever before.
And also more EVs than ever.
BMW sold more V8 engines than ever before in 2024
The company also sold more electric models than ever before in 2024
The US market was the driving force behind V8 engine sales
It’s no surprise, since its electric offering is richer than ever. Furthermore, it’s going to grow in the coming years with the rollout of the Neue Klasse platform, which is designed, among other things, to accommodate electric powertrains.
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It reflects the duality of today’s automotive industry, where the appetite for electric vehicles remains strong, as does the desire for V8 engines, especially since they are becoming increasingly rare.
In an interview with Motor1, BMW’s Director of Research and Development, Joachim Post, explained that the company wanted its customers to be able to choose the vehicle they wanted without being forced to select a new model to enjoy electric power or opt for a used one to get a combustion engine.
Unsurprisingly, if the company sold more V8 engines than ever last year, it owes much of that success to the American market, where demand for this type of engine remains the strongest in the world. Across the range, customers can find eight-cylinder engines under the hood of the X5, X6, X7, 7 Series, and 8 Series, as well as between the front wheels of the M5, M8, X5 M, and X6 M.
The M5 even plays on two fronts, with a V8 accompanied by a plug-in hybrid system offering 47 kilometers of electric freedom. This type of offering is expected to grow in popularity in the coming years.
It remains to be seen whether the trend will continue, and for how long. It is clear that the current political climate, as well as regulations in effect south of the border, favor combustion engines over electric solutions.
One thing is sure: companies that have invested in a variety of mechanical solutions, such as BMW and Toyota, are the ones reaping the rewards today.
