BMW tops Mercedes for U.S. luxury car sales crown
The new BMW 328i is pictured during the world premiere of the company’s new 3 series in Munich October 14, 2011.
Credit: Reuters/Michaela Rehle
Thu Jan 5, 2012 3:57pm EST
(Reuters) – BMW (BMWG.DE) grabbed the top spot in the U.S. luxury auto market in 2011, edging out Daimler AG’s (DAIGn.DE) Mercedes-Benz brand, as both German automakers took advantage of inventory problems for Toyota Motor Corp’s (7203.T) Lexus lineup, according to company figures issued on Thursday.
The BMW brand sold 247,907 vehicles in 2011, up 13 percent from the previous year. Mercedes-Benz brand sold 245,231 vehicles, also up 13 percent.
BMW’s surge ended the streak of 11 years for Lexus as the top-selling luxury brand in the U.S. market. Lexus was third in 2011, selling 198,552 vehicles, a drop of 13 percent.
