Audi Trumps BMW For Third Time in Seven Months

LITTLETON, Colo. - Aug. 13, 2013 - PRLog -- Munich-based BMW said on Thursday that sales of its core brand rose 13.5 percent in July to 128,594 vehicles, compared with Audi's 9.8 percent gain to 131,300.

BMW's global deliveries already fell behind Audi's in January and April. BMW's year-to-date sales lead over Audi, which contributed about 40 percent of VW's 3.43 billion-euro ($4.57 billion) group profit in the second quarter, eased slightly to 21,000 cars from 24,000 after six months.

BMW's annual lead over Daimler's (DAIGn.DE) Mercedes-Benz totaled 122,000 vehicles, although third-ranked Mercedes last week reported a 20-percent surge to 116,790 cars.

Audi eclipsed Mercedes-Benz in 2011 as the world's No. 2 luxury carmaker. Audi and Mercedes are both aiming to replace BMW in the top spot by the end of the decade.

"The three premium makers are closing ranks," said Frankfurt-based Commerzbank analyst Sascha Gommel, accrediting the strongest momentum to Mercedes thanks to a raft of new models. "The battle is heating up."

Sports-car manufacturer Porsche, another VW division, said on Thursday that global sales rose 11 percent to 13,731 autos, powered by demand in the United States and China.

The maker of the iconic 911 model posted double-digit growth in its German home market, just like BMW, in another sign that Europe's No. 1 sales region may be headed for recovery.

 

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About McDonald Audi: McDonald Audi is part of the McDonald Automotive Group that has been selling and servicing vehicles in the greater Denver Metro area since 1965. As one of the fastest growing dealerships in the United States and in recognition for their outstanding citizenship, the McDonald Automotive Group was awarded with the Quality Dealer Award. McDonald Automotive Group shares their success with the community by supporting many charities and clubs, including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation with an annual golf tournament.