Irvine BMW Confirms, BMW Beats Mercedes-Benz to Claim First U.S. Luxury Sales Crown

January 17, 2012 – Irvine, Calif. – Irvine BMW is excited to confirm, BMW has won its first title as best-selling luxury brand in the United States.
    
BMW was able to fend off a late-year surge by its rival, Mercedes-Benz, to win this latest title.
    
BMW said that U.S. sales rose 15 percent to 26,834 in December, for an annual total of 247,907. Mercedes said its sales last month climbed 28 percent to 25,701, pushing its tally for the year to 245,192.
    
The results officially end Lexus’ 11-year reign atop the U.S. luxury rankings. The Toyota Motor Corp. brand reeled after the March earthquake in Japan disrupted production, finishing the year down 13 percent at 198,552. Mercedes won the title once, in 1999, before ceding the U.S. crown to Lexus.    
    
The results exclude Mercedes Sprinter vans and Smart cars as well as BMW’s Mini brand, which aren’t luxury vehicles.

BMW sales advanced 13 percent for the year in an overall market that rose about 10 percent. Mercedes’ U.S. deliveries also climbed 13 percent, aided by a refreshed C-class sedan and redesigned M-class SUV.

Mercedes advanced after BMW ended the third quarter leading its German rival by 7,621 U.S. sales. The lead narrowed to 1,582 by the end of November.
Both automakers increased incentives in November and carried forward customer
discounts into December, according to Ivan Drury, an industry analyst with Edmunds.com.

Mercedes increased incentive spending in November by 39 percent compared with a year earlier, and BMW’s incentives rose 25 percent, according to Autodata Corp. Many of those discounts and incentives are on the C class and 3 series, which are the automakers’ top sellers.

Irvine BMW’s helpful and knowledgeable staff, expert factory-trained technicians, state-of-the-art service department, comprehensive parts department and one of the nation’s largest selections of new, used and certified pre-owned BMW’s have made Irvine BMW a landmark in Southern California’s automotive landscape. For more information about Irvine BMW, visit the dealership at 9881 Research Drive in Irvine, Calif., or online at irvinebmw.com.
  
Don’t forget to become a fan of Irvine BMW on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/irvinebmw), and become a follower of Irvine BMW on Twitter (http://twitter.com/irvinebmw).
    
As a proud member of the Shelly Automotive Group and one of the largest BMW centers on the West Coast, Irvine BMW has loyally served Orange County - including Lake Elsinore, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, El Toro, Foothill Ranch, Capistrano Beach, Dana Point, Lake Forest, Laguna Woods, East Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Silverado, Trabuco Canyon, Rancho Santa Margarita, Mission Viejo and Ladera Ranch - for nearly a decade.

Contact Information

Alyse Feltman

Account Coordinator

Feltman and Associates

Contact via E-mail