After a lukewarm March, Spring is in high gear this April. Mercedes-Benz seems to have come to the realization that if you discount “the best or nothing” you can sell more cars and still maintain your prestige.

This is something the top-line German automaker rarely does, they had a poor program this holiday even if their sales numbers prove otherwise. Benz is known for selling at a premium, whether it be to maintain their brand or keep profits at a level comparable to Stratton Oakmont, the German’s are sticklers when it comes to releasing rebates. In April though, they decided to take a different approach.

Just about everything seems to have something. (Sorry CLA & GLA you were left out) Leading the charge is the E350 sedan, with a extremely low interest rate and $3,000 rebate the car is priced at its lowest in recent history, plus a highly incentivized 27 month lease for those who [...]

Global sales of BMW Group’s core brand rose faster in June than at Audi and Mercedes-Benz as demand from China and the United States helped the premium carmaker to extend a lead over the two rivals in the first six months of the year.

Sales at the brand were up 9 percent last month to 153,075, the group said today, compared with growth of 5 percent to 140,300 and 8 percent to 131,609 at Audi and Mercedes respectively.

Six-month sales at BMW brand rose 8 percent to 804,000 cars, expanding the lead over runner-up Audi to 24,000 from 11,000 after five months. Half-year sales at Audi and Mercedes rose 6 percent each to 780,500 and 694,000 respectively.

“BMW has stronger momentum than Audi and Mercedes, that won’t change in the second half,” said Hanover-based NordLB analyst Frank Schwope. “Design of their cars has improved and they’re ahead [...]