BMW brand sales up 20.9% in October

• Company's Mini brand sales also up 8.7%
• Momentum up as BMW challenges Mercedes-Benz
• BMW leader is 3-series, up 25.6% for month

The BMW Group in the U.S. reported combine October sales of its BMW and Mini brands of 32,339 vehicles, up 18.5% from a year ago.

Year-to-date the group is up 8.4% to 246,602 vehicles.

"Momentum is increasing and the October figures show supply is finally catching up with demand as our new models arrive in greater numbers", said Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW of North America. "At the same time, our thoughts are with colleagues and customers affected by the hurricane and its aftermath. We are all working together in this difficult situation."

BMW's U.S. headquarters is in New Jersey.

The BMW brand, which is challenging Mercedes for top sales in luxury vehicles, saw sales up 20.9% in October to 26,451 and year-to-date sales are up 6.7% to 212,848.

Brand volume leaders were the 3-Series cars, up 25.6% to 9,729 for the month. and the X3 crossover, up 39.9% to 3,248.

Mini Cooper sales rose 8.7% in the month to 5,888 and year-to-date is up 15.7% to 54,419.