600 units while those of Mercedes reached 35

Figures published yesterday by the Acea confirmed that top range manufacturers resumed their colors. The market share at the European level of the BMW (brand name Mini included) group is to 5.4 in April, compared with 4.6 for the period from January to March, while that of Daimler is straightened at 4.9 compared to 4.1 on the first three months of the year. For Audi, it displays at the end of April a market share of 4.8, up slightly from the score of 4.2 in the first quarter.

In March, three "premium" brands had already seen registrations back to a record level since more than a year in Western Europe. But registrations were still a few months behind on orders, so that the low point was reached late last year. "The rebound has first arithmetic character, explains Philippe Barrier, analyst for Société Générale. As the small car market fall due to the withdrawal of support measures, the high market shares, mechanically, back.

The issue of business fleets

It is still difficult to know if this segment enjoys a recovery on company fleets, in the absence of detailed statistics, but analysts expect this to be the case: "company vehicles should advance from 5 to 10 this year." "The fleet renewal will eventually arrive, because companies have cut their investments for more than a year and a half now," says Philippe Barrier. A determining element in the growth of the builders of sedans of luxury, especially Germany and Great Britain, where business fleets represent more than half of the sales of BMW and Mercedes.

What make high range manufacturers more optimistic. Daimler thus found forecasts of results, on a background of prospects for its Mercedes-Benz subsidiary. The group will end more sooner than expected its measures of technical unemployment and wage reduction affecting close to 96.000 employees at German sites. BMW, for its part, said "confident for the coming months", with the arrival on the market of its new series 5 and the Countryman, version four doors of the Mini. From its competitor of Stuttgart, the Bavarian manufacturer has the advantage of entering a phase of strong launches, during which it will replace its line three quarters. But, for now, Daimler has a portfolio of younger products. For Audi, it benefits from the recent expansion of its range.

Another good news: revenue per vehicle to maintain, while analysts had expected prior to what they, declining because the rebalancing of the market for the benefit of small models and less greedy engines fuel. According to UniCredit, turnover per unit increased by 2.6, to 35.573 euros, BMW and 9.8, to 41.399 euros, for Mercedes in the first quarter, sign that powerful engines have not said their last word.

That said, the recovery will be probably slow and European market on the top of range should not permanently regain its pre-crisis before 2013 or 2014 levels. In the meantime, the battle will play primarily in emerging countries.

For now, Audi leads the race in China, with 71.000 cars sold on the first four months of the year. But BMW, which is building a second plant on the spot, has not said its last word: its sales have more than doubled to 46.600 units, while those of Mercedes reached 35.400 vehicles.