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.
