After the first three months of 2015, BMW is back on top in the U.S premium-car segment. A month ago, they were trailing Mercedes-Benz, but the Bavarians took the lead again after a record first quarter. Mercedes-Benz dropped into second place, barely behind BMW but in front of a resurgent Lexus—which is also fairly close to BMW's year-to-date total.
“We are seeing a growing confidence and optimism among consumers across the country and for BMW the result is record sales in the first quarter of this year,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The record first quarter is especially satisfying as BMW of North America is celebrating its 40th Anniversary at the New York Auto Show this week and we are looking forward to the months ahead.”
Sales of the BMW 3 and 4 Series propelled BMW to a new March record of 34,310 vehicles sold and a new first quarter record of 78,492 vehicles. The 3 and 4 Series sales of 14,835 cars represented a whopping 47 percent increase over March 2014.
The percentage rise of the BMW 1 and 2 Series over last year’s sales was even greater; 1,249 deliveries was a 124 percent increase over last March. Strong X5 sales in March—4,388 of them—helped put BMW over the top.
Mercedes-Benz also had a record March with 29,921 units sold, while Lexus delivered 31,054 vehicles in March, a record for that company.
Not related to the luxury car race in U.S. sales, but very important to the BMW Group, Mini sold 5,829 cars in March, an almost 60 percent jump over a year ago.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW AG.]
