German cars Audi, Mercedes-Benz in global demand

German car-makers Audi and Mercedes-Benz sold more cars across the world in January than in any corresponding month in the past.

Audi had higher monthly sales in January 2013 than ever before. The company sold 111,750 cars.

The Volkswagen subsidiary said at its headquarters in Ingolstadt city that it had increased its worldwide distribution by 16 percent over the same month last year.
Sales increases were recorded in all regions, most notably in China with 37,678 units, an increase of 38.5 percent.

Mercedes-Benz also sold more cars in January than in any previous corresponding month, continuing its record-setting year in 2012.

Compared to last year, the month's sales increased by 9.2 percent to 94,895 units, the auto manufacturer announced in Stuttgart.

It reported a double-digit increase in sales in the US and China, the two largest markets in the world, and even managed to increase its sales in Europe.

Joachim Schmidt, director of sales for Mercedes-Benz Cars, said he expects further growth this year.

"In 2013, we will mount an offensive in the upper class and luxury market segments by introducing the new E-Class Family and the new S-Class," he said.

Audi said its growth was much higher than that of its competitor Mercedes-Benz in January.

In 2012, Audi delivered more than 1.45 million automobiles.

Luca de Meo, Audi chief executive officer for marketing, said the SUV models as well as the A3 family "will ensure that we remain on a path of growth in 2013".