Mercedes-Benz registrations rose 11% last month, hitting a total of 209,309 units as demand for the new E-Class as well as the automaker’s SUVs kept growing.
In comparison, BMW sales went up by just 2% in June to 192,873 units, whereas Audi saw its sales rise 1% to 170,650 units. BMW even sold 106,244 fewer cars in the first half of the year compared to Mercedes.
“Mercedes has the better momentum as they have a relatively new palette of models,” said NordLB analyst Frank Schwope. “It will definitely be a tight race again in coming years and even Audi isn’t a lost cause, but this year Mercedes will stay on top.”
E-Class sales surged 68% in the first half of 2017, while demand for SUVs gained 13%. For BMW, it was their new X1 crossover who drove sales forward the most for the Bavaria, as reported by Autonews.
Mercedes has been on a roll ever since chief designer Gorden Wagener came up with a radical redesign five years ago, adding jutting grilles and broader hunches, resulting in a sportier yet even more elegant appearance than before.
BMW’s own redesign cycle was of a more conservative nature in recent years, although company CEO Harald Krueger plans to catch up with Mercedes by rolling out 40 new vehicles over the next two years alone, including a sporty X2 compact SUV and a full-size luxury X7 crossover.
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