BMW outsells Audi and Mercedes to retain luxury sales crown

Jason · 01-09-2015, 11:57 AM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

35
COMMENTS

January 9, 2015

BERLIN (Reuters) -- BMW outsold Audi and Mercedes-Benz in December to round off a 10th year as global luxury car-sales champion but its two German rivals have reduced its advantage.

Deliveries by BMW's core brand jumped 14 percent last month to 177,954 cars. That took full-year sales to a record 1.81 million, up 10 percent, the company said in a statement today, citing strong demand in China and the United States.

BMW group deliveries including BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini vehicles rose 8 percent to 2.11 million in 2014. Group registrations rose 15 percent in December to 215,217.

Audi sold 150,000 models in December, reporting a 15 percent increase on year-ago levels that extended its 12-months gain to 11 percent or 1.74 million cars.

Mercedes-Benz, which dropped into third place behind Audi in 2011 in the three-way German luxury contest, beat its rival for a second straight month with December sales of 163,171 vehicles, a 17 percent gain, the company said in a statement.

Mercedes brand sales increased by 13 percent to 1.65 million in 2014. Full-year sales of Mercedes and Smart cars rose 11 percent to 1.74 million, with Smart sales down 11 percent to 89,844.

Close race

Germany's top three premium brands closed ranks last year.

BMW's lead over Audi shrank by 13 percent in 2014 to 70,000 cars, compared with 80,000 vehicles a year earlier. Audi's own advantage over Mercedes fell by a fifth to 91,000 autos from 114,000 in 2013, according to company data.

Analysts said BMW, Audi and Mercedes may keep growing sales further this year but pointed to signs of slowing momentum in North America and China.

"Auto demand in the U.S. appears to have outpaced underlying economic growth and the expansion in China is slowing," Frankfurt-based Commerzbank analyst Sascha Gommel said. "The German premiums will keep growing but at a slower rate."

N54Twin · 01-10-2015, 07:13 PM

#1

DieGrüneHölle · 01-10-2015, 07:24 PM

#1 in bean counting.

bmwmnation · 01-10-2015, 07:55 PM

yes yes yes love it!!!

TheBingoBalls · 01-10-2015, 08:01 PM

Wait, is this North America or worldwide. Gets too confusing with multiple articles referencing the same thing but not really stating which region.

EzequielR · 01-10-2015, 08:24 PM

BMW doing big things!

MalibuBimmer · 01-10-2015, 08:32 PM

In actuality it's a contest to see who can sell the most cars in China.

E90M3JETS · 01-10-2015, 08:35 PM

With the all new A3, S3 and RS3 I believe Audi will take the crown in 2015. These look amazing and are a blast to drive. Time for the GC M235i BMW???

613Bimmer · 01-10-2015, 08:36 PM

Remember when Audi said they would be selling the most cars by 2015? Better luck next year.

Diver · 01-10-2015, 08:49 PM

That is a real achievement, especially considering how hard MB is working on its line.

Vervain · 01-10-2015, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diver

That is a real achievement, especially considering how hard MB is working on its line.

Totally agree

cs4444 · 01-10-2015, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Wait, is this North America or worldwide. Gets too confusing with multiple articles referencing the same thing but not really stating which region.

Read the article...the first sentence states that it's global.

Taylorguy74 · 01-10-2015, 10:23 PM

The latest Autoweek states Audi is the sales leader. I quit believing the media hype years ago.

iamdabest1 · 01-10-2015, 10:41 PM

There's no reason for anyone to want an audi over bmw , clearly if people buying that many audis , bmw should add x drive on all their m cars as an option as well ..

ZEEM3R · 01-10-2015, 10:49 PM

I'm happy for them! But they Needa start focusing on quality along with quantity as well. Many of the cars made by their German rivals are either on par or surpassed the BMW models.

ManiacGT · 01-11-2015, 12:51 AM

Which basically means BMW cars are now common.

ManiacGT · 01-11-2015, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBingoBalls

Wait, is this North America or worldwide. Gets too confusing with multiple articles referencing the same thing but not really stating which region.

It does say global sales.

cc3 · 01-11-2015, 01:56 AM

Shame they don't win the race on quality. My new X5 rattles like a car built in the 1980's

Vector Pilot · 01-11-2015, 03:54 AM

It appears BMW has succeeded expanding their model line, as well as continuing to offer attractive lease deals, but I'm not sure becoming attainable, marginalizes the exclusivity of driving a BMW.

MickeyM3 · 01-11-2015, 05:05 AM

Expansion of their model line to cover all the market niches is very expensive and I believe detracts from focusing on quality and making them all The Ultimate Driving Machine. Can't believe this race for #1 in sales is helping either their or our respective bottom lines.

DeeKay · 01-11-2015, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F**Enthusiast

Remember when Audi said they would be selling the most cars by 2015? Better luck next year.

And hopefully the F30 LCI will look drop dead gorgeous when it's going to arrive later this year- as it's their bread and butter it need to be spot on.

Not needing a design overhaul at all, but at least LED tail and xenon as standard here in Denmark.

DeeKay · 01-11-2015, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManiacGT

Which basically means BMW cars are now common.

Still a loooong way to go to reach common! VW, Toyota etc. is selling over 10 million cars a year. Yes, VW numbers is including Audi but still.

01-09-2015, 11:57 AM	#1
Jason Administrator 40797 Rep 21,240 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	BMW outsells Audi and Mercedes to retain luxury sales crown BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW outsells Audi and Mercedes to retain luxury sales crown 35 COMMENTS Tweet January 9, 2015 BERLIN (Reuters) -- BMW outsold Audi and Mercedes-Benz in December to round off a 10th year as global luxury car-sales champion but its two German rivals have reduced its advantage. Deliveries by BMW's core brand jumped 14 percent last month to 177,954 cars. That took full-year sales to a record 1.81 million, up 10 percent, the company said in a statement today, citing strong demand in China and the United States. BMW group deliveries including BMW, Rolls-Royce and Mini vehicles rose 8 percent to 2.11 million in 2014. Group registrations rose 15 percent in December to 215,217. Audi sold 150,000 models in December, reporting a 15 percent increase on year-ago levels that extended its 12-months gain to 11 percent or 1.74 million cars. Mercedes-Benz, which dropped into third place behind Audi in 2011 in the three-way German luxury contest, beat its rival for a second straight month with December sales of 163,171 vehicles, a 17 percent gain, the company said in a statement. Mercedes brand sales increased by 13 percent to 1.65 million in 2014. Full-year sales of Mercedes and Smart cars rose 11 percent to 1.74 million, with Smart sales down 11 percent to 89,844. Close race Germany's top three premium brands closed ranks last year. BMW's lead over Audi shrank by 13 percent in 2014 to 70,000 cars, compared with 80,000 vehicles a year earlier. Audi's own advantage over Mercedes fell by a fifth to 91,000 autos from 114,000 in 2013, according to company data. Analysts said BMW, Audi and Mercedes may keep growing sales further this year but pointed to signs of slowing momentum in North America and China. "Auto demand in the U.S. appears to have outpaced underlying economic growth and the expansion in China is slowing," Frankfurt-based Commerzbank analyst Sascha Gommel said. "The German premiums will keep growing but at a slower rate."
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

01-10-2015, 07:13 PM	#2
N54Twin Major 413 Rep 1,362 Posts Drives: F85 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (9)	#1 __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 07:24 PM	#3
DieGrüneHölle Colonel 1309 Rep 2,787 Posts Drives: M Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: bmw iTrader: (0)	#1 in bean counting.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 07:55 PM	#4
bmwmnation Private 50 Rep 85 Posts Drives: e60 530i and r32 skyline gtr Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: calabasas iTrader: (0)	yes yes yes love it!!!
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 08:01 PM	#5
TheBingoBalls Brigadier General 3820 Rep 4,659 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Toronto, Ontario iTrader: (1) Garage List 2018 F36 BMW 440i x ... [0.00]	Wait, is this North America or worldwide. Gets too confusing with multiple articles referencing the same thing but not really stating which region.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 08:32 PM	#7
MalibuBimmer Founder, Knights of the Roundel website 967 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 and 2018 AMG GT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: The Santa Monica Mountains, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 Mercedes AMG GT [0.00] 2018 Audi Q3 [0.00] 2015 BMW M4 [10.00]	In actuality it's a contest to see who can sell the most cars in China. __________________ Previously: 2014 i8; 2013 650i convertible; 2013 650i Gran Coupe; 2013 X1; 2010 550i GT; 2010 535 GT; 2010 Z4 3.5; 2008 535ixt; 2007 M6 convertible; 2006 650i convertible; 1996 Z3; 1980 633CSi; 1978 630CS; 1972 3.0CS; 1971 Bavaria. (1971; 1979-2005 & 2017 - ? -- the Mercedes years.)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 08:35 PM	#8
E90M3JETS Banned 65 Rep 207 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Chicagoland iTrader: (0)	With the all new A3, S3 and RS3 I believe Audi will take the crown in 2015. These look amazing and are a blast to drive. Time for the GC M235i BMW???
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 08:36 PM	#9
613Bimmer Lieutenant 106 Rep 410 Posts Drives: One car with good steering ;) Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 435i xDrive M- ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 535i XDriv ... [0.00]	Remember when Audi said they would be selling the most cars by 2015? Better luck next year.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 08:49 PM	#10
Diver Brigadier General 504 Rep 3,446 Posts Drives: Black '12 135i - Sold Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	That is a real achievement, especially considering how hard MB is working on its line. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 10:23 PM	#13
Taylorguy74 Enthusiast 16 Rep 245 Posts Drives: 2016 550i M-Sport Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Texas iTrader: (1)	The latest Autoweek states Audi is the sales leader. I quit believing the media hype years ago. __________________ 2016 550i M-Sport 2008 328i M-Sport (Sold) 2007 Z4M Roadster (Sold)
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 10:41 PM	#14
iamdabest1 Second Lieutenant 128 Rep 263 Posts Drives: 2011 m3 dct Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (0)	There's no reason for anyone to want an audi over bmw , clearly if people buying that many audis , bmw should add x drive on all their m cars as an option as well ..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-10-2015, 10:49 PM	#15
ZEEM3R Captain 144 Rep 692 Posts Drives: 2016 Jaguar F-Type S AWD Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1)	I'm happy for them! But they Needa start focusing on quality along with quantity as well. Many of the cars made by their German rivals are either on par or surpassed the BMW models. __________________ 2013 BMW M3 Competition - Gone, But Never Forgotten 2016 Jaguar F-Type S AWD 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6 HSE 2017 Porsche Macan Turbo
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2015, 12:51 AM	#16
ManiacGT Major 85 Rep 1,448 Posts Drives: Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Manchester, UK iTrader: (0)	Which basically means BMW cars are now common.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2015, 01:56 AM	#18
cc3 Major 623 Rep 1,333 Posts Drives: 1M, GT4, M2 M140i G40 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: .UK iTrader: (0)	Shame they don't win the race on quality. My new X5 rattles like a car built in the 1980's
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2015, 03:54 AM	#19
Vector Pilot Lieutenant 35 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 2014 Z4 28i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chicago Metro iTrader: (0)	It appears BMW has succeeded expanding their model line, as well as continuing to offer attractive lease deals, but I'm not sure becoming attainable, marginalizes the exclusivity of driving a BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-11-2015, 05:05 AM	#20
MickeyM3 Private 3 Rep 54 Posts Drives: E30 325is, R1200RT, F30 335 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Georgia USA iTrader: (0)	Expansion of their model line to cover all the market niches is very expensive and I believe detracts from focusing on quality and making them all The Ultimate Driving Machine. Can't believe this race for #1 in sales is helping either their or our respective bottom lines.
	Appreciate 0 Quote