Both Audi And Mercedes Closing In On BMW's Lead In Global Luxury Sales Race

Six-month auto sales by BMW’s namesake brand exceeded Audi’s deliveries by 16,997 vehicles compared with a difference of 23,760 a year earlier, according to figures released by the manufacturers this week. BMW’s lead against Mercedes shrank 6 percent to 102,827 cars. All three automakers posted record deliveries for the period.

Audi has been renewing its A3 lineup since early 2013, and No. 3 Mercedes has been offering a wider range of compacts in addition to the new S-class version brought out a year ago. Both are pushing to overtake BMW in premium-auto sales by the end of the decade. BMW has responded with the 2-series and 4-series coupes and X4 SUV and is rolling out the plug-in i8, its first sports car in more than three decades.

cidflekken - 7/8/2014 1:40:21 PM

0 Boost

Hmmm, which has better bragging rights?

"We lead the high-end of the segment because we're building better Mercedes"

OR

"We lead the low-end of the segment because we're building more appealing VWs"

Car4Life - 7/8/2014 3:32:46 PM

+1 Boost

I agree, and Audi better watch themselves in China, the new C Class, is expected to be a Major hit especially the long wheel base version made for the china market

MattDarringer - 7/8/2014 2:10:35 PM

+3 Boost

Audi would have to increase its sales 100% in the USA to be near BMW in volume. Look it up.

GermanNut - 7/8/2014 2:15:33 PM

+1 Boost

What about China, MattDaringer? Did you ever consider how many more cars BMW would have to sell in China to match Audi? That's right...A LOT!

MattDarringer - 7/8/2014 4:21:53 PM

+2 Boost

You missed the point GERMnut. In one of the most lucrative markets, Audi is a distant FIFTH in the luxury wars so all the trumpeting of how "on fire" Audi is, IGNORES that in one very crucial market it's trailing CADILLAC by quite a distance.

As for China, any intelligent person can see that there is a tremendous boom at the moment to fill the need of a market historically deprived of cars and once that hunger is filled there will be an inevitable cooling off.

cidflekken - 7/9/2014 1:52:01 AM

0 Boost

Well, I'm sorry, but holding the title of "Top Seller" in China doesn't say a whole lot. China, when it comes to consumer goods, is a follower/imitator, not a leader.

GermanNut - 7/8/2014 2:13:49 PM

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What has the most bragging rights is profit. Audi currently leads in that contest with the highest profit margin out of the big 3 and it is that large profit margin that will propel Audi to overtake BMW in the race for 'World's Best-Selling Premium Brand' At this rate Audi will surpass BMW by the end of 2016, if not sooner.

Dr550 - 7/8/2014 3:59:01 PM

+1 Boost

Think about it Nut. BMW is a independent company. Audi is owned by VW and has the advantage of economies of scale. Just like Lexus with Toyota. Imagine if that RX/ES cost $6,000 more (estimate) because it did not use a Toyota engine,chassis, brakes, etc. Same with Porsche. Riding VW "gravy train" for chassis and purchasing power for materials.

GermanNut - 7/8/2014 6:42:56 PM

-1 Boost

Economies of scale is key to Audi's profitability. The parts, chassis and platform sharing has HUGE cost benefits for Audi and is what allows Audi to have a larger profit margin than BMW and Mercedes-Benz. BMW will inevitably get passed because Audi's profit war chest is growing and Audi is investing $30 billion through 2018 alone on new products, technologies and manufacturing capabilities.

JDMUSMuscle - 7/8/2014 6:22:49 PM

-4 Boost

Just like how Germany won against Brazil today, Germany is pretty much like a true world empire, the nation that is the standard of the world.

And the United States is like a world junk empire, the standard of all junk in the world.

USNA1999 - 7/8/2014 7:31:54 PM

+3 Boost

What is up with all the anti-American rants? I know the economy is hurting but dude give it a break. If it's that bad then get the hell out of here and go where you think you will be better off and stop whining.

MattDarringer - 7/8/2014 7:45:43 PM

+3 Boost

Standard JDMUSMuscle BS response: "Anything Japanese is the Holy Grail. German is mediocre but tolerable when someone is not smart enough to buy a Juke. But above all, American cars are 10 times worse than Ladas made during the times of the USSR."

Copy that. Cut and paste it. Save the time of typing anything.

JDMUSMuscle - 7/9/2014 12:31:49 AM

-4 Boost

USNA, when did I say I am currently in the U.S.?

And I thought you would agree with me here. Why bash me now, friend? You know America is the land of junk, the country that is only good at making junk.

And a blind patriot who simply ignores the problems of the country is "not" a patriot. Thus, you are not a "real" patriot. Remember what Roosevelt said?

Matt, you are basically an idiot with low IQ, and unfortunately, a product of the failed American education system. And congrats, you seem to get boosts only if you criticize me here! Pretty amusing.

USNA1999 - 7/9/2014 6:29:10 AM

-2 Boost

JDMS I mostly agree with you but we cannot ignore the fact that the United States is still a major economic power and all these auto manufacturers want Americans to purchase their products. As far as what we build, that is another story.

xjug1987a - 7/10/2014 6:56:10 AM

+2 Boost

Nah..JDMS is a punk 13 yr old brat that uses his moms lap top while she is at work. Everything he says is stupid and used to provoke. When his mom finds out, ohh...the time out he'll have to face!

Chip - 7/9/2014 3:34:53 PM

+2 Boost

I'm actually really sick of these 3 brands in particular. They make amazing products, no denying that, but there's just too many of them on the road now and I'm so sick of the price gouging on options. I remember how special it felt to get behind the wheel of my old E46 BMW or B5 S4. The new models just don't do it for me.

xjug1987a - 7/14/2014 12:57:30 PM

+2 Boost

Gotta tell you Chip, I completely agree. I was really hoping that Alfa would be established as a true competitor to all 3. Having the driving dynamics and quality of these 3 but with attainable Italian style... give the people something else... that would be terrific. That said I think the new Cadillacs are great and the Germans, though the benchmarks, I'm tired of them and their price tags too.... completely agree..