BMW Sales in China Top Those U.S.

BMW AG's sales of its namesake and Mini brand vehicles in China jumped 37% to a record 80,000 units in the first three months of 2012 compared with a 17% rise to a record 75,700 units in the U.S., Bloomberg News reports.

Last quarter was the first time BMW's volume in China exceeded its sales in America, which had been the company's largest market.

BMW Group sold 185,700 vehicles worldwide last month, up 12% from March 2011 and a record high for any month. The group also set a first-quarter record with an 11% increase to 425,500 vehicles.

Global sales of BMW brand vehicles rose 11% to a 356,500 units in the January-March period, maintaining its lead over rivals Audi, whose sales grew 11% to 346,100 units, and Mercedes-Benz (+12% to a 313,900 units). All three luxury car brands set first-quarter records.