New opponent in BMW's rear view mirror.

Audi passed Mercedes-Benz in global quarterly new-car sales for the first time ever. The Volkswagen owned luxury brand outsold Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz 264,100 to 248,500 during the first three months of 2010. The quarterly sales result was a new record and 25.9 percent above the same period last year for Audi.

The move brings Audi closer to its goal to become the “most successful luxury automaker in the world by 2015,” at which point it hopes to sell 1.5 million cars a year.

Audi came in at third place for all of 2009, behind Mercedes-Benz. BMW was ranked No. 1 for 2009. Analysts say that Mercedes-Benz may have trouble regaining second place as the year progresses.

“We expect continued growth compared to last year in the second quarter of 2010,” Audi sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer said in a statement.

We’re guessing the new compact Audi A1 will also help boost 2010 sales.