The BMW Group experienced its best sales ever in the U.S. for the month of July, increasing by 10.5 percent compared to the same time frame in 2012. The first seven months of this year alone saw a 9.2 percent jump, selling 202,780 models (compared to last year’s 185,715).

The first month of the third quarter of a year is an important benchmark to gauge the position of the company throughout the remaining year, according to Ludwig Willisch, president and CEO, BMW of North America. “July is a pivotal month, setting the trend for the second half of the year and the numbers show the trend is with us,” said Willisch. “We have a strong lineup of new vehicles to launch in the months ahead led by the all new X5, which started production [on August 1], and the beautiful BMW 4 Series Coupe which arrives in the fall.”

Sales of BMW-brand vehicles increased 12.9 percent in July, selling a total of 24,043 compared to 21,297 vehicles sold this time last year. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 11.3 percent on sales of 164,474 compared to 147,801 sold in the first seven months of 2012. The best-selling cars include the 1 Series, the 3 Series, the Z4 Roadster, and the X5 SAV. The 1 series was up 60.7 percent (609 units); the 3 Series, was up 29.2 percent (9,890 units); the Z4 Roadster was up 25.4 percent (217 units); and the X5 SAV was up 17.1 percent (2,674 units).

The MINI-brand sales in the U.S. also had record-setting sales for July 2013. Year-to-date, the MINI sales are up 1.0 percent, selling 38,306 cars compared to 37,914 in the first seven months of the previous year.

“We like to say the world is becoming more MINI and the record sales figures for July and year-to-date prove that interest in the premium small car segment continues to grow and that people can think small,” said Jim McDowell, VP, MINI USA. “We are especially pleased with the sales performance of the MINI Countryman model that continues to bring new [types of drivers] to our growing MINI family.”