BMW has sold over half a million cars in the first five months of this year after group sales rose 7.5% to 113,626 in May.

Sales of its core BMW brand rose 6.4% to 96,061 units last month, while Mini sales rose 14.2% to 17,511 cars. BMW also delivered 54 Rolls-Royce Phantoms, down 15.6% versus May 2004.

For the first five months, group car sales increased 8.4% to 517,184 units, led by demand for new BMW models such as the X3 mid-size off-roader and the 1-Series hatchback.