BMW has extended its lead over Audi and Mercedes-Benz according to the latest global sales figures.

Industry journal Automotive News reports global sales figures for June see BMW stretch its existing lead over its luxury German rivals, helped by demand from China and the US.

According to the Bavarian brand, its global sales reached 153,075 units in June - up 9.4 per cent.

Audi managed to shift 140,300 vehicles with 5.5 per cent growth, while Mercedes-Benz saw bigger growth at 8.3 per cent for its 131,609 units sold.

Hanover-based NordLB analyst Frank Schwope told the US publication that BMW is benefitting from improved design and advanced fuel-saving technologies.

"BMW has stronger momentum than Audi and Mercedes, that won't change in the second half [of the year]," Schwope said.

Sales at the sixth-month mark see BMW, with 804,000 units for the year, ahead of Audi and Mercedes-Benz at 780,500 and 694,000 respectively.

Both Audi and Mercedes-Benz have previously outlined plans to overtake BMW in global sales by 2020.

Locally, Mercedes-Benz leads the charge of the three marques in 2013 with 10,997 sales (excluding trucks and vans) versus BMW's 9989 and Audi's 8151 units.

Car Advice