Volkswagen unit Audi will overtake Bavaria’s BMW as the luxury car sales leader this year if current trends persist according to a post on AutoBlog.com citing an Automotive News Europe report. The sales difference between the two brands is as little as 2,000 or so vehicles.

The growth of the A-class segment and the success of Audi’s A3 is cited as the main underpinning for Audi’s growth in luxury car sales volume. Audi’s sales increase arrives on the heels of a massive investment by parent company Volkswagen AG which pledged about 20 billion euros for research and development to improve Audi’s vehicle lineup.

The brand doubled its offerings since 2003 and overtook Mercedes-Benz last year. Additionally, the brand has met with success in the lucrative and massive Chinese market where BMW is not yet as popular.

[AutoBlog]