Audi, BMW Post Record May Sales

BMW AG and Volkswagen AG's Audi brand each reported its best-ever worldwide sales for May, thanks to robust demand in China for luxury models.

Audi sales climbed 14% to 128,900 vehicles last month compared to May 2011. The brand's volume in China surged 44% year-over year to 36,300 units.

Audi boosted its forecast for worldwide company sales to 1.4 million vehicles, up 7% from 2011. The company previously predicted only that it would outperform a 4% increase in the global market.

BMW Group reports its sales rose 6% to 157,000 vehicles in May, including a 32% jump to 27,800 units in China. Worldwide demand grew 7% to 129,200 vehicles for the BMW brand, 6% to 27,500 units at Mini and 8% to 320 units at Rolls-Royce.

In May Audi narrowed BMW's lead as the world's top-selling luxury car brand. In the first five months of this year, Audi increased sales 12% to 600,200 vehicles. The BMW brand boosted volume 9% to 607,200 units in that period. Demand for Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles rose 8% to 532,400 units.