BMW Reclaims Lead in Global Luxury Sales Race
With Audi slipping back and Mercedes-Benz now in a distant third place, BMW has taken the global luxury sales lead.
Success of the new 3 Series and X1 small crossover has vaulted BMW ahead of Audi. BMW sales overall increased by 7 percent in February, surpassing the 3.2 percent gain by Audi. BMW’s big month helped the company jump back into the sales lead for the year, with just 407 more cars sold than Audi in the first two months.
SEE ALSO: Audi to Double SUV Lineup by 2020
Demand for luxury vehicles in China and the United States are helping the German automakers avoid economic woes in Europe. With Mercedes-Benz launching the stylish and affordable CLA-Class later this year, the brand can get a much-needed boost to its sales numbers.
Audi and BMW are enjoying sales in China with increases of 3.5 and 3.2 percent in the region, while Mercedes is floundering with a decrease of 47 percent. Mercedes is looking at a new strategy to improve sales in the area, by combining its sales and marketing organizations for imported and locally produced cars into one entity.
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Sami has an unquenchable thirst for car knowledge and has been at AutoGuide for the past six years. He has a degree in journalism and media studies from the University of Guelph-Humber in Toronto and has won multiple journalism awards from the Automotive Journalist Association of Canada. Sami is also on the jury for the World Car Awards.
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