For the first time since 1997, the BMW brand may beat Lexus and Mercedes-Benz in overall U.S. sales for the 2011 calendar year. For the first six months of the year, BMW has outsold both rival luxury brands.
The new 5 series sedan and X3 crossover have breathed life into BMW’s U.S. sales with 21,637 units rolling off dealership lots. That’s a 13 percent increase compared to June 2010.
Mercedes also saw its sales rise 13 percent, to 20,652 vehicles sold, while Lexus saw a 38 percent decrease with 10,773 vehicles sold. Lexus has continued to struggle with inventory levels following the disruption caused by the March 11 earthquake.
Through June, BMW sales rose 13 percent to 113,705; Mercedes-Benz saw a seven percent increase selling 110,926 in the U.S while Lexus decreased 18 percent to 88,010. Lexus had enjoyed being the top-selling luxury auto brand in the U.S. on an annual basis for the past 11 years.
Later this year, BMW will introduce an all-wheel-drive variant of the 528i midsize sedan. As Mercedes-Benz’s new ML-Class SUV rolls into dealerships, the automaker could see a boost in sales, too. An updated C-Class sedan and coupe will be introduced in September.
Would you be more likely to buy a BMW over a Lexus if the German automaker became the number one luxury auto brand in the U.S.? Tell us below in the comments section.
Source: Bloomberg
