BMW reported a 13 percent U.S. sales increase in March, cutting into the lead of Mercedes-Benz ,as both brands set records for the month.
The March results trimmed Mercedes’s 2013 lead to 4,285 cars and SUVs as the two German automakers vie for the annual sales crown BMW has held for the past two years. BMW won last year with a December surge, based on reported sales. Measured by vehicle registrations, Mercedes topped BMW, according to researcher R.L. Polk & Co.
Mercedes sales for the first quarter gained 12 percent to 69,187, a record for the three-month period, Daimler said in a statement. BMW’s quarterly deliveries advanced 5.4 percent to 64,902.
Eleswehere, Lexus reported a 15 percent increase for March, to 23,190, as deliveries of the ES sedan more than doubled. Lexus, which was the annual sales leader for 11 years until natural disasters in Asia curtailed 2011 output, said it sold 56,740 vehicles in the quarter for a 16 percent gain.
Meanwhile Audi sales rose 14 percent to 13,253, according to a statement. That was the brand’s 27th straight month of record sales and second- best month ever, behind December 2012. The gains included 20 percent for the A4 sedan and 39 percent for the Q5 SUV. Sales for the year rose 16 percent to 34,186, Audi’s best first quarter ever.
These results don’t include Daimler’s cargo vans and Smart cars and BMW’s Mini brand, which aren’t luxury vehicles. –– Paul Duchene
