BMW vs Tesla: Revenue, Profit and Business Model
BMW reported ~$150.8B of revenue in FY2025 and ~$8.2B of net income. Tesla reported $94.8B of revenue in FY2025 and $3.8B of net income.
Latest financial snapshot
Financial summary
BMW
BMW's financial story has turned from peak to reset in three years. Revenue reached ~$176 billion (EUR155.5 billion) in 2023 with a 9.8% automotive EBIT margin, then fell to ~$161 billion (EUR142.4 billion) in 2024 and ~$151 billion (EUR133.5 billion) in 2025 as China pricing, tariffs and currency weighed. Group profit before tax still stayed above ~$11.3 billion (EUR10 billion) in 2025 (~$11.6 billion (EUR10.236 billion), 7.7% margin), helped by ~$2.82 billion (EUR2.5 billion) of cost cuts and a stable Financial Services business. 2026 is weaker: H1 revenue fell 8.0% to ~$70.4 billion (EUR62.3 billion), Group EBT dropped 29.4% to ~$4.52 billion (EUR4.0 billion), and BMW now guides to a 1-3% automotive EBIT margin and automotive free cash flow above ~$2.82 billion (EUR2.5 billion). Shareholder returns continue through a EUR4.40 dividend for 2025 and a ~$2.26 billion (EUR2 billion) buyback due to finish by November 2026.
Tesla
Tesla's revenue peaked at $97.69 billion in 2024 and slipped 2.9% to $94.83 billion in FY2025, while net income fell from $7.09 billion to $3.79 billion as vehicle prices and regulatory-credit income declined. The second quarter of 2026 reversed the top-line trend: revenue rose 26% to a record $28.24 billion, with automotive up 23% to $20.52 billion, services and other up 50% to $4.58 billion, and energy up 13% to $3.14 billion. Profit did not follow. GAAP net income fell 5% to $1.11 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.33 missed estimates because of higher R&D and AI infrastructure spending.
Revenue and profit by year
BMW
| Year | Revenue | Net income | Margin | Growth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | ~$150.8B | ~$8.2B | 5.5% | -6.3% | Source |
| FY2024 | ~$160.9B | ~$8.2B | 5.1% | -8.4% | Source |
| FY2023 | ~$175.7B | ~$12.8B | 7.3% | +9.0% | Source |
| FY2022 | ~$161.1B | ~$20.3B | 12.6% | +28.2% | Source |
| FY2021 | ~$125.7B | ~$14B | 11.1% | — | Source |
Tesla
| Year | Revenue | Net income | Margin | Growth | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | $94.8B | $3.8B | 4.0% | -2.9% | Source |
| FY2024 | $97.7B | $7.1B | 7.3% | +0.9% | Source |
| FY2023 | $96.8B | $15B | 15.5% | +18.8% | Source |
| FY2022 | $81.5B | $12.6B | 15.4% | +51.4% | Source |
| FY2021 | $53.8B | $5.5B | 10.3% | +70.7% | Source |
| FY2020 | $31.5B | $721M | 2.3% | +28.3% | Source |
| FY2019 | $24.6B | -$862M | -3.5% | +14.5% | Source |
| FY2018 | $21.5B | -$976M | -4.5% | +82.5% | Source |
| FY2017 | $11.8B | -$2B | -16.7% | +68.0% | Source |
| FY2016 | $7B | -$674.9M | -9.6% | — | Source |
Where the revenue comes from
BMW
- Automotive
~$133B (EUR117.6B) segment revenue (2025)
Sales of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars, parts and services; the segment's EBIT margin was 5.3% in 2025.
- Financial Services
~$45B (EUR39.8B) segment revenue (2025)
Leasing, retail loans, dealer financing and insurance; new business volume was ~$74.4B (EUR65.8B) in 2025.
- Motorcycles
~$3.5B (EUR3.1B) segment revenue (2025)
BMW Motorrad bikes, parts and gear; segment EBIT margin was 5.7% in 2025.
Tesla
- Automotive sales and leasing~73%
Model 3, Model Y, Cybertruck and remaining other models, plus regulatory credits. $20.52B in Q2 2026.
- Services and other~16%
Supercharging, FSD and connectivity software, service, used cars, insurance and parts. $4.58B in Q2 2026, up 50%.
- Energy generation and storage~11%
Megapack, Powerwall and solar. $3.14B in Q2 2026, up 13%.
Business model and strategy
BMW
How it makes money
BMW makes money by designing, building and selling premium cars at prices that carry a brand premium, then earning a second layer of profit from financing them. In 2025 the Automotive segment (BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce) generated ~$133 billion (EUR117.6 billion) of revenue, Financial Services ~$45 billion (EUR39.8 billion) and Motorcycles ~$3.5 billion (EUR3.1 billion) before intra-group eliminations.
Growth strategy
Under CEO Milan Nedeljković, BMW's growth plan is narrower and more regional. The group will cut variants (the 2 Series Active Tourer gets no successor), add top-end models such as the first BMW ALPINA car in 2027 and a US-focused SAV above the X7, and launch a compact Neue Klasse EV for Europe in 2028.
Competitive advantage
BMW's advantage rests on brand depth, engineering credibility and a flexible production network. Customers still pay for BMW driving dynamics, M performance models and Rolls-Royce craftsmanship, which supports pricing even when volumes are flat.
Tesla
How it makes money
Tesla operates a vertically integrated electric vehicle, clean energy generation, and software ecosystem model. The company generates revenue across four primary pillars: First, Automotive Sales and Leasing, selling mass-market electric vehicles (Model Y, Model 3) and premium models (Model S, Model X, Cybertruck) directly to consumers without franchised dealers.
Growth strategy
Tesla's growth plan rests on four bets. First, regain vehicle volume: deliveries fell 8.6% to 1.64 million in 2025, then rebounded to a record 480,126 in Q2 2026, up 25% year over year. Second, autonomy: Tesla runs a paid robotaxi service in several U.S. cities and is building the steering-wheel-free Cybercab, though the Q2 2026 shareholder letter dropped the target of volume production in 2026.
Competitive advantage
Tesla's advantage comes from brand strength, direct sales, software updates, charging infrastructure, battery and powertrain know-how, manufacturing scale, data, and energy-storage growth.
Questions about BMW vs Tesla
Which company has higher revenue — Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or Tesla, Inc.?
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG reported ~$150.8B (FY2025), while Tesla, Inc. reported $94.8B (FY2025). By last reported revenue, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is the larger business, with Tesla, Inc. reporting a smaller revenue base.
What is the market cap of Bayerische Motoren Werke AG vs Tesla, Inc.?
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG's market capitalisation stands at $39.8B, while Tesla, Inc.'s is $1.49T. Tesla, Inc. carries the higher market valuation, reflecting investors' expectations of its future earnings power relative to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG.
Which is more financially efficient — Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or Tesla, Inc.?
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG generates $976k / employee in revenue per employee, while Tesla, Inc. generates $704k / employee. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG shows higher revenue efficiency per headcount, though this reflects business model differences — capital-light software companies routinely outperform labour-intensive manufacturers on this metric.
How do Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Tesla, Inc. make money?
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG and Tesla, Inc. generate revenue in fundamentally different ways. Bayerische Motoren Werke AG: BMW makes money by designing, building and selling premium cars at prices that carry a brand premium, then earning a second layer of profit from financing them. Tesla, Inc.: Tesla operates a vertically integrated electric vehicle, clean energy generation, and software ecosystem model.
Which company is valued higher relative to revenue — Bayerische Motoren Werke AG or Tesla, Inc.?
On a price-to-sales (P/S) basis, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG trades at 0.3x P/S and Tesla, Inc. at 15.7x P/S. Tesla, Inc. commands a higher revenue multiple, typically indicating that investors expect faster growth or higher future margins compared to Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. A higher multiple is not inherently better — it may also signal that the stock is priced for perfection.
Is Bayerische Motoren Werke AG bigger than Tesla, Inc.?
By last reported revenue, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG (~$150.8B (FY2025)) is the larger company compared to Tesla, Inc. ($94.8B (FY2025)). Revenue scale is one dimension of size — market capitalisation, employee count, and geographic reach are also relevant depending on the context.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the BMW vs Tesla overview