BMW's new car sales in May reached record levels, with the company selling more than 80,000 cars worldwide for the first time - an increase of 7.9% compared to last year.

From January to May this year a total of around 378,500 units were delivered, a year-on-year increase of 9.9%.

In the UK sales increased to May by 13.3% to 35,100 compared to an overall market growth of just 3%. This increase was only beaten by BMW's performance in Switzerland where sales improved by 31.8%.

Dr Michael Ganal, head of sales on the BMS management board, said: "Our assumption that the premium segment grows faster than the market as a whole has been confirmed once more. The above average growth of BMW shows clearly the substance and power of the brand."

Škoda sold 2,310 new cars last month, the best May in Škoda UK's history. Sales increased 7.8% over May of last year.

Sales of Fabia reached 1,224 in May, while Octavia sales totalled 1,086.

Fleet sales reached 506 vehicles in May, an increase of 61.7% over the previous May.

Year-to-date sales totalled 15,086 vehicles, giving Škoda a 1.4% market share, is an increase of 30.5% over the same period last year.