BMW Group’s core brand outsold rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz in September thanks to strong demand in Europe, but the gap between the three luxury car brands has narrowed this year in a fierce sales race.

BMW said that sales of its namesake brand rose 6 percent last month to 167,584, beating its two competitors. Audi sales rose 6 percent to 159,950 in the same period, while Mercedes’ brand jumped 14 percent to 162,746.