Daimler AG’s Mercedes-Benz brand outsold rival BMW AG’s namesake brand in the U.S. last year, capping a hard-fought competition between the two German car makers for dominance in what is still the world’s richest luxury-vehicle market. Daimler Sold 312,534 Mercedes Vehicles, While BMW Sold 309,280

Mercedes’ U.S. arm said it sold 312,534 Mercedes cars and sport-utility vehicles in 2013, up 14% from 2012. That total included 33,007 vehicles sold in December, up 17.3% from a year ago. Mercedes said sales of its E-Class model line rose by 25% in December from a year ago. Mercedes got an important boost in the race with BMW from its new CLA car line, with a starting price of $29,900. Launched in the fall, 14,113 CLA-line vehicles were sold.

BMW said Friday it beat Mercedes in December, selling 37,389 BMW-brand vehicles, down from 37,399 vehicles a year ago. But that still left the BMW brand behind for the year at 309,280 vehicles, according to the company’s figures.

BMW had been the luxury-segment leader in the U.S. for two years in a row. Both companies pushed hard to boost sales during December with discounted lease deals and other holiday-themed promotions.

Including its Mini brand, BMW said it sold a record 375,782 cars and SUVs in the U.S. last year, up 8.1%. Mercedes-Benz’s U.S. arm said its total sales last year, including Smart minicars and Sprinter commercial vans, rose 12.6% from a year earlier to 343,614 vehicles.