Story no.174InternationalOngoingPlants, jobs and earningsSerious Several countries (3)1 Nov → 6 Nov12 facts · 116 art.

BMW cuts its workforce and lowers its 2026 forecasts

BMW has launched a plan to cut 8,000 jobs, with severance packages that may exceed €650,000, and expects a charge of several billion euros related to the departures and the discontinuation of older electric models. The automaker has lowered its earnings forecasts for the second time, causing its share price to fall and no longer ruling out a loss for the 2026 fiscal year, after a 24.4% profit decline over nine months. The job cuts affect Germany and China, where about 1,800 positions are being eliminated. The German press mentions a possible improvement in 2027, while the French press highlights the group's financial difficulties and uncertain outlook.

In brief

Ongoing story bringing together 12 events involving BMW, BMW Group, Mercedes-Benz and 3 more, in 3 countries (Allemagne, Chine, États-Unis), followed from 1 November 2026 to 6 November 2026. 116 articles from 33 sources (plants, jobs and earnings); last updated on 6 November 2026 at 13:45. Figures reported: 8000 jobs.

National stories

What is established

Method

Confirmed(7)

6
BMW no longer rules out a loss in 2026, particularly in its automotive division.
6 independent sourcesforococheselectricos.com, Le Journal de l'Automobile, Euronews.com, Yahoo Finance, AM-online +1
5
BMW lowers its 2026 forecasts for the second time.
5 independent sourcesforococheselectricos.com, www.marketscreener.com, WSJ, L'Auto-Journal, internationalfinance.com
5
BMW Brilliance launches layoffs of about 1,800 employees in China starting November 2, 2026, with an N+5 severance package.
5 independent sourcesMotor1.com, electrive.net, electrive.com, L'Auto-Journal, carguy.kr
3
Severance packages in Germany can reach €650,000 per employee.
3 independent sourcesT-Online, Les Echos, Caradisiac
3
In the third quarter of 2026, BMW's pre‑tax profit stands at €2.1 billion, down 11%.
3 independent sourcescardealermagazine.co.uk, internationalfinance.com, 中金在线
2
BMW plans about 8,000 job cuts in Germany.
2 independent sourcescardealermagazine.co.uk, Le Média en 4-4-2
2
BMW forecasts a 2026 automotive EBIT margin between -0.5% and +0.5%.
2 independent sources观点网, 手机新浪网

Sources disagree(2)

Operating profit decline
- -40 %according to 20 Minuten
- -15 %according to Brand Icon Image
Number of job cuts in Germany
- about 8,000according to cardealermagazine.co.uk, Le Média en 4-4-2
- 5,000according to carguy.kr

Single source so far(3)

Over the first nine months of 2026, BMW's net profit falls 24.4%. (according to la Repubblica)
In the third quarter of 2026, the automotive operating margin falls from 5.2% to 3.4%. (according to Le Journal de l'Automobile)
In the third quarter of 2026, BMW's automotive division revenue amounts to €26.67 billion. (according to 观点网)

Updates(10)

5 Nov, 19h05BMW's operating profit at its lowest since 2020.
5 Nov, 19h05Market reaction: BMW shares initially fall, then rise despite the warning.
5 Nov, 15h09BMW risks its first loss since 2008.
5 Nov, 15h09Severance packages in Germany that can reach €650,000.
5 Nov, 15h09Group pre‑tax profit Q3 above €2 billion, over €6 billion over nine months, EBT margin 6.8% in Q3 and 6.6% over nine months.
4 Nov, 13h22BMW announces €1.45 billion profit and more job cuts than expected.
4 Nov, 13h22Automotive operating margin Q3: 5.2% → 3.4%.
4 Nov, 09h51Pre‑tax profit Q3 down 11%.
4 Nov, 09h51Automotive revenue Q3: €26.67 billion.
4 Nov, 09h51Nine‑month results published: profit -24.4%, revenue €92.7 billion.

AI cross-check of the headlines and extracts of 60 articles (48 outlets) · “confirmed” = reported by at least two independent outlets, or by the manufacturer’s official press room · 5 Nov, 19h05

Background

Method

Context and reference points, separate from the story's news. Every item links to its source; updated on 5 Nov

Key terms

Earnings warning: An announcement by which a company informs the market that its upcoming results will differ from what was anticipated; the dossier indicates that BMW lowers its earnings forecasts for the second time. Wikipedia
Severance pay: Amount paid to a former employee as compensation following dismissal without their prior consent and even if they have committed no professional misconduct; it may also be paid to an employee who retires. Wikipedia
Restructuring: An operation by which an organized entity (company, government, production unit, community, etc.) sees its organizational structure reshaped to achieve a new configuration, often to achieve economies of scale and cost savings; in the case of a company, it may lead to job cuts or closures of production or management sites. Wikipedia

Timeline

newest first

Dot = severity

In figures

The activity

12 facts

Latest activity 2 hours ago

1 5 6

1 Nov4 Nov

Countries concerned

Several countries (3)

Brands concerned

Official figures

BMW · 67,640 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 82 recall(s) in 12 months
BMW Group · 85,531 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 94 recall(s) in 12 months
Mercedes-Benz · 71,871 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 84 recall(s) in 12 months
Volkswagen · 120,214 reg. (EU + EFTA + UK, Sept 26) · 60 recall(s) in 12 months

Key figures

8,000
jobs

Amounts cited650.000 Euro · 650.000 euros · 650 000 € · 2.1 billion euro · USD 2.36 billion

Highest number recorded in 28 article(s), automatically extracted: please check sources.

Sources by country and language

Press country

	Articles	Outlets
Germany	40	20
China	23	16
France	22	16
United States	8	6
United Kingdom	5	5
Switzerland	4	3
Italy	4	4
Spain	2	1
South Korea	2	2
Netherlands	2	2
Türkiye	2	1
Luxembourg	1	1
Unknown country	1	1

Languages

	Articles	Outlets
German	31	19
French	26	20
English	25	18
Chinese	20	13
Italian	4	4
Dutch	3	3
Spanish	3	2
Unknown	2	2
Korean	2	2

Country of the outlet (not of the topic), inferred from its address and language. Each outlet counts once per row.