BMW Sales Set All-Time Monthly Record

Retail deliveries of BMW brand vehicles rose 17% to an any-month high of 186,100 units in March, led by strong demand for small and midsize crossover models.

Results pushed up the brand's volume in the first quarter of 2014 by 9% to 487,000 units and extended BMW's lead in the luxury car market over rivals Audi (412,900 units) and Mercedes-Benz (374,300 units).

BMW group sales, which include Mini and Rolls-Royce rose 11% to 212,900 in March, marking the first time volume has surpassed 200,000 units in one month. Mini sales in March plunged 17% to 26,400 cars.