April 4 (Bloomberg) -- Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, the world's largest maker of luxury cars, led a sales increase among European manufacturers in the U.S. last month as drivers chose new models such as the 3-Series sedan over rival Asian vehicles.

Sales of the 15 European brands in the U.S. rose 13 percent from the same month a year earlier to 101,826 vehicles, according to Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey-based Autodata Corp. Meanwhile, Japanese carmakers saw 6 percent growth, and total sales of U.S., Asian and European brands fell 2.9 percent.

BMW, DaimlerChrysler AG's Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen AG last year introduced new versions of top-selling vehicles such as the 3-Series and Volkswagen's Jetta. European manufacturers increased their share of the market to 6.7 percent from 5.7 percent, according to Wes Brown, an auto industry analyst, as European and Asian companies continue to put pressure on U.S. carmakers General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co.

``We don't really expect this trend to slow down at all this year,'' said Brown, who works for Iceology, a consumer research firm in Los Angeles. When buying luxury cars, U.S. buyers consider European models as more prestigious than Asian brands, such as Honda Motor Co. Ltd.'s Acura and Toyota Motor Corp.'s Lexus, he added. Toyota is now poised to surpass GM as the world's largest carmaker.

Record Sales

All three German carmakers expect sales to increase this year with BMW reaching a record. The company has a target of selling 1.4 million vehicles by 2008 and last year sold 1.33 million last year.

BMW sales rose 22 percent to 24,501 vehicles, led by the 3- and 5-series cars, according to a statement from the company's North American division. Sales of the X3 and X5 sport-utility vehicles declined 2.4 percent, and BMW's Mini brand fell 7 percent.

Sales by Stuttgart, Germany-based DaimlerChrysler gained 2.9 percent, including an 18 percent rise to 21,417 for Mercedes- Benz.

Volkswagen, Europe's largest automaker, said U.S. sales increased 24 percent last month, helped by new versions of the Jetta and Passat passenger cars. The U.S. sales gain was the fifth straight for Wolfsburg, Germany-based VW.

VW's Audi luxury-car unit said U.S. sales in March rose 7.6 percent, spurred by demand for its A4. Porsche AG, the world's most profitable carmaker, said new models of its 911 and Boxster sports cars contributed to a 14 percent gain.

Shares of Stuttgart, Germany-based Porsche added 16 euros, or 2 percent, to 806 euros in Frankfurt yesterday. Volkswagen shares advanced 1.68 euros, or 2.7 percent, to 63.99 euros. DaimlerChrysler shares climbed 72 cents, or 1.5 percent, to 48.12 euros. BMW shares increased 63 cents, or 1.4 percent, to 46.08 euros.

To contact the reporter on this story: Nadja Brandt in Los Angeles at nbrandt@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: April 4, 2006 03:18 EDT