BMW Retains World Largest Premium Car Maker As Mercedes And Audi Close In

MW retained the title of world's biggest premium brand by vehicle sales last year while Mercedes-Benz overtook Audi to claim the No. 2 spot.

Sales of BMW's core brand rose 5.2 percent to 1.91 million in 2015 on strong demand for SUVs, BMW said in a statement on Monday.

Sales of Mercedes-branded models increased 13 percent to 1.87 million last year, the automaker said Jan. 8 in a statement. Audi's global volume lagged its German rivals as its full-year sales increased 3.6 percent to 1.80 million, Audi reported last week
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autopal - 1/12/2016 11:59:12 AM

+2 Boost

I just have a feeling Mercedes will take the crown this year. Their onslaught of new vehicles is impressive

Hawk - 1/12/2016 12:10:57 PM

+1 Boost

How many years have we heard this already?????

TheSteve - 1/12/2016 12:21:53 PM

+2 Boost

Yup, it seems to some that the chant of "We're Number One!" is vitally important, even if there's only a margin of difference of a few thousand units sold. I speak of consumers and manufacturers.

Personally, I pay little attention to whose #1 or otherwise. I buy what I believe suits me best.

cidflekken - 1/12/2016 12:42:41 PM

+2 Boost

The luxury brands need to spend more time developing their upper-tier products. Mercedes is so far ahead of the others in that respect and I think that might be more important in a long-term than building out the lower tiers.

hangtime010 - 1/12/2016 5:23:55 PM

+2 Boost

I suppose the marketing objective is to get people buying into the brand earlier and keeping them loyal as they grow and establish their careers.
Before premium brands moved downmarket, it was difficult to sustain a high level of sales when the average age of those buying was close to retirement.
I wonder what the average age is now for the different premium brands compared to say 15-20 years ago?
I think there's a lot of personal pride when a person has aspirations to and then having attained the ability to buy an S-Class. And that pride is there with other brands, but moreso with MB.
there used to be a similar sense of pride with the 7 Series, but that I feel has diminished a bit.

GermanNut - 1/12/2016 6:07:03 PM

+2 Boost

I have no doubt Mercedes-Benz will take over the top spot globally. The new C-Class has sold extremely well, the new E-class should add significant volume and the S-Class continues to dominate. Audi should also close the gap this year with its all-new Q7 and A4 set to go on sale. 2018 will be a big year for Audi as its new A8 and Q5 models will join the lineup along with its Q6 SUV.