BMW expects to outpace rivals as luxury car sales soar

BMW has posted record car sales for 2011 and forecast that a boom in luxury cars would keep it ahead of rivals this year as the world’s biggest maker of premium cars sees strong demand from China and the US.

The Munich-based company said that worldwide sales of BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars rose 14.2% to 1.67 million last year as it sold more X3 sport utility vehicles, 5 Series models and MINIs.

Appetite for BMW’s luxury cars reached a new high, with annual sales of Rolls-Royce vehicles in 2011 rising to the highest level in the company’s 107-year history, jumping almost 31% to 3,538 cars.