Mercedes-Benz‘s plans to regain its historical position as the world’s most popular premium automaker could be paying off, research from Germany has suggested.

The famous tri-star brand was the world’s best-loved luxury automaker until 2005, when it lost the title to rival BMW, which has held it since.

In 2011, it suffered another blow when it slipped behind Audi into third place, selling 1.26 million vehicles compared to 1.3 million for Audi and 1.38 million for BMW.

German carmaker BMW on Thursday launched its iconic Mini Cooper in India, the latest luxury auto maker to expand in one of the world’s fastest-growing car markets.

BMW established a presence in the country in 2006 and has since seen steady growth in sales in India where growing affluence is producing a new upper class with expensive tastes.

The BMW Group has opened the world’s largest showroom for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW motorcycles in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi Motors, the BMW Group’s long-standing importer for the region, has invested around AED 300 million (approx. $82 million) in the new 35,000-square-metre showroom over its three-year construction.

Located in Umm Al Nar, it offers 172 parking spaces for customers and 120 work bays for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles.

BMW will launch a mid-range MPV aimed at larger families in 2015, to complete its ‘Project i’ series of upcoming electric vehicles.

Although the first ‘i’ model — the i3 — hasn’t even hit the roads yet, BMW executives are already planning to augment the range.

Essentially, the proposed i5 is designed to compete with models such as the recently launched Toyota Prius V, an enlarged version of the hybrid bestseller which can seat up to seven passengers and offers plenty of cabin space.

German luxury automaker BMW will launch a new range of M Performance Automobiles during the Geneva Auto Show in March.

These models are intended to bridge the gap between the full-fledged M models, such as the M3 or M5, and the lesser standard models with current sport packages.

The idea is to deliver more engaging, highly sporty vehicles without the full price premium of an M model, or the drawbacks of harsher ride qualities.

Update: BMW announced January 5 that US sales totaled 247,907 throughout 2011, beating Mercedes-Benz to the top spot by just 2,715 vehicles.

In a first, two German manufacturers — Mercedes-Benz and BMW – are dueling for the honor of being the top luxury brand sold in the United States.

Right now, BMW holds a slight lead, but US sales for Mercedes surged in November, climbing more than 40 percent.