BMW overtakes Audi and Mercedes-Benz, selling 121,168 cars worldwide in May

In May 2011, BMW brand sold 121,168 cars worldwide, 19% more units than in May 2010. It topped Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Last month, Audi had sales of 113,400 cars -- 19.5% higher than the previous year. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz sales increased by 7.3% to 108,766 units. Buoyed up by sales of the new 5-series sedan and X3 SUV, the global deliveries of BMW brand increased by 19.2% to 555,429 units from January to May 2011.

This is higher than Audi's 17.5% surge to 535,400 cars. In the first five months of 2011, Mercedes' sales climbed by 10.5% to 490,021 units. In a statement, Ian Robertson, BMW board member for sales and marketing, said that May 2011 is the “most successful May” that the company has ever posted in sales. He cited the strong performance of its young vehicle lineup and its “healthy balanced growth worldwide.”

The sales of the BMW Group, which includes the BMW, Mini and Rolls-Royce brands, increased by 21.1% to 147,563 units in May. From January to May, sales of the brands rose 20.7% to 667,511 units. The wealthy population in China has been growing. This is the reason why luxury carmakers are getting such huge sales gains in the country. However, the auto market in China is predicted to cool this year after rising by a third to its highest ever level in 2010. BMW Group sales in China rose 51.1% to 21,150 vehicles last May. [via - 4wheelsnews]

2012 Bmw 1-Series