since 1976
since 1976
By Lee Pang Seng
BMW Malaysia Group enjoyed a fantastic year in 2025 and looks to achieving more of the same in 2026 with the launch of a locally assembled EV (electric vehicle) and a limited edition ‘fiery’ Mini Countryman. The BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro is hailed as the ‘first-ever locally assembled fully electric BMW in the Asia-Pacific region’. And for good measure, a long-wheelbase iX1 eDrive20L M Sport SAV (sport activity vehicle) EV was introduced to pander to growing demand.
The strong sale numbers for 2025 reflected BMW Malaysia Group’s jubilation and its confidence in achieving even higher volumes for 2026. It delivered more than 10,800 vehicles under the BMW, Mini and BMW Motorrad (motorcycle) companies last year, of which 55 per cent were locally assembled. This is said to reinforce the BMW Group’s status as Malaysia’s top premium automaker since 2020.
Its position as the ‘Number One Premium Electric Vehicle Provider’ in Malaysia is also said to be successfully retained for the sixth year. This is supported by more than 2700 fully electric vehicles delivered by the three companies in 2025. That volume accounted for 25.2 per cent of all EV deliveries, indicating an increase over the 20.6 per cent achieved in 2024.
BMW delivered above 7700 vehicles while Mini Malaysia recorded more than 1500 vehicle deliveries to mark an 8.7-per cent growth over 2024. It added that BMW Motorrad was also on a growth momentum with sales up by 3.8 per cent year-on-year with above 1600 motorcycles delivered.
In the BMW i portfolio, the iX2 xDrive30 M Sport maintained its position as the brand's best-selling fully-electric vehicle with above 460 units delivered. Following closely was the i5 eDrive40 M Sport at more than 450 units to represent a 10.8-per cent increase over 2024. The iX1 eDrive20 M Sport also attracted strong customer appeal with above 340 units delivered to record a significant 41.1-per cent growth year-on-year.
Over at Mini, its electrified portfolio continued to gain momentum in 2025 with EV sales reaching above 700 units (+15.2 per cent) that accounted for 46.4 per cent of Mini vehicles delivered. Leading the electric segment was the Aceman SE with more than 330 units delivered, followed by the Countryman SE ALL4 at above 200 units.
Likewise, the same encouraging growth was reflected at BMW Motorrad's electric two-wheeler segment with the BMW CE 04 delivering above 120 units, a 68-per cent increase over 2024. Combined with the BMW CE 02, BMW Motorrad delivered more than 170 fully-electric motorcycles in 2025, representing an 18.5-per cent increase over the previous year.
Supporting this growth, BMW Group Malaysia said it continued to expand its comprehensive charging infrastructure, with more than 2,000 charging facilities available to customers through ‘strategic partnerships’ with leading EV charging providers including Gentari, ChargEV, Yinson Greentech, JomCharge and others. In addition, more than 100 BMW i and Mini charging facilities are available at authorised dealerships and partner venues across the country, with further expansion planned for 2026.
The Malaysian scenario clearly complemented BMW Group’s performance globally - its growth trajectory in 2025 was reflected in its global sales at more than 2,463,000 vehicles (+0.5 per cent). Mini contributed significantly to this success by posting 17.7 per cent sales growth in 2025, delivering beyond 288,000 vehicles. Overall, the Group’s sales of fully-electric models (including Rolls-Royce) grew by 3.6 per cent to more than 442,000 units.
BMW Malaysia Expands Electric Exposure
The introduction of the locally assembled BMW i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro was made alongside that of the long-wheelbase iX1 eDrive20L M Sport SAV. The latter is the latest model in its range and together, these new model offerings are expected to strengthen the brand’s expanding line-up of electrified vehicles by delivering ‘greater range, innovation and versatility’.
Unlike its premium rivals, BMW developed a modular platform for the 5 series that could accommodate three power options – ICE (internal combustion engine), EV and plug-in hybrids (PHEV). It was therefore easier to adapt the platform for an EV powertrain in local assembly. Few would notice the difference between an ICE and EV models in body profile in this respect.
In fact, if you lift the front bonnet of the i5, you would see an engine bay that is not quite unlike that of an ICE 5 Series sedan although this might seem like a waste of front storage space, as seen in most other EV cars. This is probably due to the limitation of the modular platform.
With an updated fifth-generation BMW eDrive system, the rear-mounted electric motor produces up to 250kW/340hp and 430Nm of torque. The i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro achieves 0–100km/h in six seconds and a top speed of 193km/h. A major enhancement is the silicon carbide (SiC) converter upgrades, a new battery and thermal management technologies that include adaptive recuperation and an intelligent heat pump system that efficiently manages cabin, drive and high-voltage battery temperatures.
This contributes to its extended range of up to 513–627km (WLTP – Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) on a full charge. Charging capabilities include up to 22kW of AC charging with 0-100 per cent charge in four hours 15 minutes and up to 205kW DC fast charging of 10–80 per cent in 34 minutes.
The i5 eDrive40 M Sport Pro is priced at RM368,800 on the road without insurance. If you were to include the BMW Service and Repair Inclusive package, the price is RM392,300. This includes a five-year extended warranty and service package.
The iX1 eDrive20L M Sport SAV comes with a 110mm extended wheelbase and an overall body length increase of 116mm that should provide more interior space and legroom. To support that, BMW says the interior sees an extended 81mm of legroom and 107mm of kneeroom, which should boost the iX1’s appeal as an entry-level model. Moreover, its 490-litre luggage space is expandable to 1600 litres with the rear seats folded away.
This SAV comes with an updated enclosed grille design that features the Extended Shadowline trim, an effect that BMW says is also seen in the diffuser and side sill elements. Another grille design identifier are lines and surfaces that extend outwards in the shape of an X. The slender wrap-round Adaptive LED (light emitting diode) headlights with high-beam assistant are enhanced with M Lights Shadowline.
The compact electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM) on the front axle produces 150kW/204hp and 250Nm of torque. The iX1 eDrive20L M Sport does the 0–100km/h in 8.6 seconds and a top speed of 175 km/h. The 66.5kWh (gross) battery delivers up to 433km of range (WLTP). AC charging (11kW) from 0–100 per cent takes six hours and 45 minutes while DC Charging speed of up to 130kW allows for 10–80 per cent in 32 minutes. However, 120km of range could be added in just 10 minutes
A new comfort-focused suspension system is tuned specifically to offer greater comfort on the drive. The biggest addition to the interior is the introduction of the Panoramic Skyroof with no central bar for a wide-open view range. There is also an electric opaque fabric shade to ensure maximum privacy. The iX1 eDrive20L M Sport carries an estimated price of RM255,000.
Mini Countryman S Fiery Stallion Edition
MINI Malaysia is introducing this striking special edition Countryman S Fiery Stallion Edition to welcome the Year of the Horse. Said to channel the zodiac's strength, energy and unstoppable momentum, this local-assembly limited-run model is targeted at ‘individuals who embrace boldness and originality’. Its exclusiveness lies in the fact that only 18 models would be made available.
The special edition features a bold, motor sport-inspired exterior treatment, further distinguished by an exclusive Vibrant Silver roof as a dynamic contrast to the body colour. Fire Horse silhouette decals sweep across the doors like ‘galloping flames, symbolising motion and energy while a custom grille emblem featuring a fierce stallion icon takes pride of place at the front’. Carrying the theme further is a stylised horseshoe fuel cap decal at the rear to add ‘another touch symbolising good fortune and power’.
Inside, the side sills are marked with ‘Fiery Stallion Edition’ and numbered 1/18 that is described as a nod to the auspicious ‘118’ motif symbolising prosperity and new beginnings. There is also a custom key fob debossed with the fiery stallion silhouette. Its price on the road without insurance is RM260,888. With the Mini Service and Repair Inclusive (which includes the four-year extended warranty and service package), the price is RM271,288.
Universiti Malaya partnership on used EV batteries
BMW Group Malaysia also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Universiti Malaya (UM) to establish a strategic partnership to research and develop second-life applications for electric vehicle batteries for rural and community electrification initiatives. This would see the Group supplying used EV batteries to the UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC) for research into innovative energy storage solutions, which would see applications through community engagement and sustainable development projects under UM Community Engagement Centre (UMCares) and UM Sustainable Development Centre (UMSDC).
The Group says this partnership underscores its commitment to Circularity and Sustainable Mobility through extending the lifecycle of EV batteries beyond their automotive use. This collaboration would explore various second-life battery applications, including stationary energy storage systems and on-campus sustainable energy solutions.
It would also include the research and development of technical use cases for second-life batteries, knowledge sharing and capacity building between BMW Group Malaysia's technical experts and UM's faculty and students, as well as ‘opportunities for joint public engagement initiatives’.
This partnership is also said to build on BMW Group Malaysia's ongoing sustainability initiatives under its RE:THINK and RE:GENERATE programmes. In the past few years, its sustainability efforts were ramped up through Circularity principles that focused on reducing waste and maximising resource efficiency across its business value chain.
