Mercedes Doesn’t Expect to Win 2013 U.S. Luxury Crown

Daimler AG's Mercedes-Benz brand probably won't surpass BMW in the U.S. luxury car sales race this year, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche tells reporters.

Mercedes led its rival by 1,500 vehicles in the first six months of 2013. The brand also was ahead at mid-year in each of the past two years. But BMW staged second-half comebacks both times to nab the crown for 2011 and 2012.

Last year BMW sold 281,500 luxury vehicles in America compared with 274,100 units for Mercedes, 244,200 for Toyota's Lexus brand and 149,800 units for General Motors' Cadillac marque.

Zetsche's goal is for Mercedes to outsell BMW and Volkswagen's Audi make worldwide by 2020.