For BMW and Audi 2013 has got off to a good start with record breaking sales in the first quarter of the year. In both cases March saw a new peak in the number of vehicles delivered.
Worldwide Audi moved 147,700 units in March while BMW Group (including MINI and Rolls-Royce) reached 191,269 vehicles; for BMW branded models the total was 159,195. The same story is repeated with the year-to-date figures with the Bavarians selling more cars - 448,200 compared with 369,500 for Audi.
The situation is reversed in China where Ingolstadt's sales figures hit six digits for the first time. From January to March 102,810 cars were handed over to customers, representing a 14.2% increase in sales. BMW sold fewer cars there but still hit a new peak: 86,070 units, up 7.6% on last year.
Closer to home Audi reported a 9.7% increase in the UK market for the quarter compared with the same period last year. BMW didn't mention UK sales but gained market share in Germany to lead the premium segment there.
John Lambert - 9 Apr 2013