The BMW XM, once envisioned as a significant player in the luxury SUV market, is reportedly facing an uncertain future, with reports indicating potential discontinuation. A primary driver behind this speculation is the model’s underperformance, particularly in the crucial Chinese market.
Disappointing Sales Figures
When the XM was launched four years ago, BMW had ambitious projections, expecting Chinese consumers to account for 23% of its sales, with the United States predicted to be the largest market at 26%. However, the reality has fallen far short of these expectations. The XM has struggled in the US as well, with sales dropping by 4.9% in 2025 to just 1878 units.
Globally, the XM sold a mere 7608 units in 2025, making it BMW’s lowest-selling model, even trailing behind the discontinued Z4 roadster. The situation has worsened this year, with only 2816 units sold by June, a year-on-year decrease of 22.4%.
Lack of Mid-Cycle Refresh Signals Trouble
Typically, a mid-cycle refresh for a vehicle that has been on the market for about four years would be undergoing testing, with spy shots likely to emerge. The absence of any such activity for the XM suggests that BMW might opt to cancel its mid-cycle update altogether.
While BMW has outlined plans to introduce around 40 new or updated models by the end of 2027, it appears highly unlikely that the XM will receive a comprehensive “next-generation” overhaul. Although no official decision has been announced by BMW, the lack of testing prototypes for a refresh or any indications of a second-generation model cast significant doubt on the XM’s long-term prospects.
Broader Model Lineup Changes
Should the XM exit the market in the latter half of the 2020s, it wouldn’t be the only BMW model recently phased out. The Z4 and the 8 Series have already ceased production, and the i4 is set to be replaced by the all-new i4 sedan. Furthermore, rumors suggest that with the introduction of the new iX5 and the future iX7, BMW may no longer see the need to retain another distinctively styled SUV, the iX. The future of the 2 Series Active Tourer multi-purpose vehicle also appears uncertain, according to reports.
