Rivals for decades, BMW and Mercedes largely fish in the same pool. But while one of the big German brands saw its catch rate tumble, the other is soon going to need a bigger boat, judging by sales figures released this week.

Mercedes shifted 441,500 cars in Q3 (plus 83,800 vans), a drop of 12 percent on the same quarter in 2024, while BMW moved 514,620 BMW-branded vehicles, representing a rise of 5.7 percent. Factor in the BMW Group’s other brands, including Rolls Royce, BMW M and Mini, and total sales hit 588,300, or 8.8 percent more than in Jul-Sep last year.

Related: BMW Somehow Sold Fewer Electrified Cars Than Last Year

What’s really interesting is how differently the two brands performed in certain key markets. In the US for instance, which has been impacted by tariffs this year, it’s probably not a surprise to see that Mercedes sales dropped 17 percent to 70,800 units.

But turning that logic on its head, BMW actually grew its US sales by a whopping 24.9 percent in the same period to 297,247.

And even in China, where both brands – like many Western automakers – are having a tough time, Mercedes fared much worse. Benz sales sank by a shocking 27 percent but BMW escaped with an 11 percent drop. Still terrible, but much less so.

BMW vs Mercedes Sales Q3

The electric (and electrified) numbers deepen the divide. For Mercedes, battery-electric vehicle (BEV) deliveries flatlined. The company delivered 42,600 BEVs in Q3, essentially holding steady year-on-year as it battles cost pressures, tariff headwinds, and intensifying EV competition in China.

BMW’s story is more complicated. The BMW Group’s electrified portfolio (including BEV + PHEV) showed healthy growth overall, as it moved 151,282 electrified units in Q3, up 8 percent. But they were down 2.8 percent in the US. Full EV sales in that same period fell by 0.6 percent to 102,864 units globally, though they’re up 10 percent YTD.

Both automakers have some crucial new products coming through including the GLC with EQ Technology and iX3, so it’ll be fascinating to see how those cars impact next year’s numbers.

BMW vs Mercedes sales by region

BMW sales split

It’s one thing to commission a Rolls-Royce with personalized colors and handcrafted trim, but it’s quite another to turn the world’s most opulent coupe as a shrine to the household dog.

That was the premise behind a one-off Spectre commissioned by a couple in the United States, who decided their Labrador-Golden Retriever mix deserved a tribute on four wheels, executed with the kind of extravagance only Rolls-Royce would entertain. The project became the Spectre Bailey, curated through Rolls-Royce’s invitation-only Private Office in New York.

A Portrait in Veneer

Between the rear seats sits the highlight, a portrait of Bailey, rendered not in paint but in marquetry. More than 180 separate pieces of veneer in 22 different shades were cut, shaped, and assembled for the inlay, a task that consumed over four months of craftsmanship. In other words, the dog’s likeness took longer to complete than the actual car.

More: Rolls-Royce Turns Its $400K EV Into A Cherry Blossom Diorama For Grown-Ups

The rest of the interior is styled to echo Bailey’s fur, an exercise in matching leather to Labrador. Moccasin and Creme Light dominate, with Dark Spice and Casden Tan accents filling in the contrast, all framed by High Gloss Royal Walnut veneer.

Just in case anyone missed the theme, a paw print decorates the passenger side of the dashboard, with more scattered across the Rose Gold treadplates, like a luxury scrapbook of muddy footprints.

The exterior treatment follows the same playbook of canine devotion. The main bodywork wears Crystal Fusion, topped with a bespoke shade called Beautiful Bailey, an iridescent paint mixed to capture the shimmer of fur on the dog’s ear.

More: Spectre Black Badge Is The Most Powerful Rolls-Royce Ever Created

As if that weren’t enough, the coachline carries a hand-painted paw print in Rose Gold, with the same gilded touch given to the Spirit of Ecstasy.

Standard Spectre Beneath

Beneath all the custom flourishes, it remains an ordinary Spectre. Power comes from an electric drivetrain producing 577 hp (430 kW / 584 PS), backed by a 120 kWh battery good for 266 miles (428 km) on a charge. The owners apparently saw no need for the angrier 650 hp Black Badge variant.

Unlike Bailey, whose likeness now adorns half the cabin, the couple behind the Spectre Bailey would rather remain anonymous. After unveiling their rolling tribute, they offered the following statement:

“We are lifelong car enthusiasts, yes, but we are also lifelong animal lovers, and our dog Bailey is a cherished member of our family. When we started our Rolls-Royce Spectre commission, we saw the opportunity to create something beautiful which would remind us of him for decades to come. Working with the Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective, we were surprised at every turn with their wonderful ideas – the wood inlay, or the paw prints on the sill – which added so much to the experience. Spectre Bailey is everything we hoped for and more; it’s a joyful tribute to our loyal companion.”

Priceless. For Some

Rolls-Royce has not disclosed the cost of this one-off, though anyone remotely familiar with the brand knows “expensive” is a given. As for Bailey, he remains blissfully unaware that his likeness has been immortalized in marquetry and metallic paint.

The Rolls-Royce Corniche, that grand 1970s land yacht, has been given a new lease of life as an electric convertible by UK-based Halcyon. The company is producing just 60 “remastered” models, each built to order with a specification shaped around the customer’s tastes.

According to the company, the project begins with over 2,000 hours of restoration, stripping the donor vehicle into bare metal. Owners can decide whether to preserve the Corniche’s timeless design or add modern touches such as chrome bumpers, redesigned headlights, fresh alloy wheels, and custom exterior details.

Bespoke Everything

Inside, Halcyon has reimagined the Corniche with natural materials, bespoke detailing, and a surprising degree of flexibility. One early buyer opted for a two-seat layout with a sculpted rear cabin, and the company is even considering offering a custom Louis Vuitton luggage set.

Other updates bring the car in line with modern expectations, including heated and ventilated seats, an upgraded sound system, hidden infotainment, and automatic climate control.

More: Rolls-Royce Turns Its $400K EV Into A Cherry Blossom Diorama For Grown-Ups

The first completed commission seen here is known as “Highland Heather” and it draws inspiration from Scotland’s moorlands. Its Purple Moorland exterior is paired with a white-and-purple interior finished in hand-stitched leather, wood, and metal accents.

Halcyon

Silent But Powerful

Underneath the classic silhouette, the 6.75-liter V8 has been replaced with a fully electric powertrain developed by Evice Technologies. In its most potent form, the setup produces up to 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS), more than doubling the output of the original Corniche.

More: Rolls-Royce Just Threw A Phantom Into A Pool

Buyers have a choice between two battery packs, delivering 250 miles (402 km) and 300 miles (483 km) of range respectively. Furthermore, the 800V architecture is compatible with charging speeds of up to 230 kW. Interestingly, the company claims that the conversion adds zero weight to the Rolls-Royce Corniche compared to the factory V8 model, which is as wild as it sounds.

Chassis upgrades include a semi-active suspension and an upgraded braking system. Just like modern vehicles, the Corniche has three drive modes named Drive, Spirited, and Touring, which change the powertrain and damping characteristics.

The Price Of Silence

The first customer cars are due in the fourth quarter of 2026. Prices kick off at £400,000 ($537,000), not including taxes or the donor Corniche itself, which could add anywhere from $40,000 to more than $80,000, depending on the condition.

So by the time you’re done, you’re paying north of half a million for the privilege of silently cruising around in a 1970s Rolls that looks like it should still smell faintly of cigars and aftershave. But hey, exclusivity has never come cheap, and at least this one won’t leak oil on your driveway.

The Rolls-Royce Spectre is becoming even more exclusive as the ultra-luxury brand has unveiled a new Inspired by Primavera edition. It’s being billed as a “poetic exploration of spring expressed through a series of highly bespoke motor cars.”

Named after the Italian word for spring, the Primavera features a hand-painted coachline with a cherry blossom motif in front of the doors. The model also rides on unique 23-inch wheels, which have a “directional form” that is designed to recall “petals gradually opening to meet the spring light.”

Review: The Rolls-Royce Spectre Is The Ultimate EV

The floral theme continues inside with colorful seats featuring embroidered cherry blossom headrests. They’re joined by illuminated sill plates with a cherry blossom design as well as “Spectre Inspired by Primavera” badging. Buyers will also find Starlight Doors, which have 4,796 hand-placed lights.

However, the star of the show is blackwood trim featuring an engraved cherry blossom motif. Rolls-Royce says the wallpaper like effect was “achieved by experimenting with 37 different laser densities to create a balanced contrast against the polished wood surface, followed by the development of a special sanding process that preserves the detail without diminishing the finish.”

The Spectre Inspired by Primavera will be offered in three “distinct expressions” known as Evanescent, Reverie, and Blossom. Each features a unique color scheme and the model will be available for commissioning until early 2026. Deliveries are then slated to begin shortly before spring.

Motivation comes from a 102 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which powers a dual-motor all-wheel drive system developing 577 hp (430 kW / 584 PS) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. This enables the standard model to accelerate from 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 4.4 seconds and have an EPA range of up to 277 miles
 (446 km).