BMW of North America sold 27,820 more BMWs in 2013 than they did in 2012—a whopping 9.9% increase that smashed their previous record of 293,795, set in pre-recession 2007. Sales of 3 Series and 5 Series led the way in the record-setting performance, but sales of X vehicles trailed 2012 totals.
The BMW Group in the U.S.—BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce combined—was up 8.1% on sales of 375,782, compared to 347,583 in 2012, a new record for the BMW Group U.S. “Deep freeze and blizzards didn’t slow us down, as BMW Group in the U.S. shattered previous sales records in 2013, including BMW and Mini brands individually,” said Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO of BMW of North America. “We are already picking up speed in 2014 with the new models we’ll show at Detroit in a week, then our sponsorship of Team USA at the Winter Olympics and that’s just the beginning.”
BMW pre-owned sales were up as well. For 2013, BMW used vehicle sales (certified pre-owned and pre-owned) were up 10.8 percent on volume of 182,219 compared to 164,524 in the same period of 2012. It appeared that more Americans than ever wanted to drive BMWs.
Mercedes Tops in U.S. Luxury Car Sales—For a Change.
However, the other German high-end carmakers weren’t standing still, especially the folks at Mercedes-Benz, which also had a record sales year. Despite BMW’s surge at the end of 2013, the reigning champion in 2011 and 2012 slipped to second, as Mercedes sales totaled 312,534.
Boosted by sales of its entry-level CLA, revamped E-class, and premium S-class models, Mercedes captured the U.S. luxury sales crown for only the second time, according to the Automotive News Data Center. The last time Mercedes took the top spot was 1999. Coming in third place and trailing BMW by over 35,000 vehicles was Toyota, the long-time champion that BMW dethroned in 2011.—Scott Blazey
