BMW AG said sales of BMW and Mini brand vehicles in China rose 17 percent year-on-year to 36,331 units in November as the automaker maintained its ranking as China's second-largest luxury automaker.

In the first 11 months, BMW sales in China rose nearly 20 percent to 354,153 units.

By comparison, market leader Audi AG sold 443,664 units in the first 11 months, while Mercedes-Benz sold 194,531 units.

All three German luxury brands are expanding their Chinese lineups with smaller, less expensive SUVs and sedans. BMW's Chinese joint venture, BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd, assembles the X1 SUV in China.

BMW Brilliance, which also assembles the 3- and 5-series sedans, is seeking government approval to expand its Shenyang assembly plant to an annual capacity of 400,000 units.

The German automaker also plans to launch an EV in China this month.