BMW will top Mercedes Benz in global sales this year

According to Edmunds a German magazine by the name of Automobilwoche is reporting that BMW will sell more vehicles in 2005 than Mercedes Benz. The report doesn't say how long it's been since this has happened, if ever, although it does point out that last year Mercedes sold 1.23 million units to BMW's 1.2 million. In 2005 BMW is expected to reach sales in excess of 1.3 million, while Mercedes is expected to grow its sales only slightly over 2004. Audi sales, meanwhile, are up 11 percent and expected to reach 840,000 by the end of the year.
Aside from MB's quality problems, Edmunds notes the enormous difference between the success of each brand's small cars. The A- and B-class have still not made it to North America and sales of SMART cars have been very disappointing for MB. The MINI brand, however, has been wildly successful and no doubt is contributing to its parent company's record year.