Audi A3 & BMW 3-Series Sales Surge In 2013
Audi reported its 2013 sales figures recently and said its sales growth in 2013 was driven by the revamped compact A3 model and the brand’s growing line-up of SUVs. Mercedes, which lost the lead in luxury-car sales to BMW in 2005, has seen demand for its growing compact range driving sales volume in the last year.
Demand for BMW’s 3 series surged 23 percent to more than 500,000 vehicles last year, but the company will face tougher competition in the segment when Mercedes rolls out an overhauled version of the C class starting in March.
Deliveries of BMW’s X1 rose 9 percent to 161,000 vehicles. Mercedes is introducing the GLA compact SUV this year to compete with the BMW crossover. Mercedes cut into No. 2 Audi’s sales advantage last year as its compact cars won new buyers. The company plans to further narrower the gap this year and is forecast to overtake Audi in 2015.