MINIUSA Sales Up 23% for 2005

Sections: Sales Apr 1st, 2005 18 Comments

From MINIUSA PR:

Demand for MINI brand automobiles was exceptionally strong as the division celebrated its third anniversary in the U.S. on March 22nd. March sales were the best ever recorded, for 4,127 cars versus 2,857 in March 2004, an increase of 44 percent. First quarter sales of MINI automobiles increased 23 percent with sales of 10,184 over the 8,271 sold in the first quarter of 2004.

You can check a complete sales break-down (as always) via Ian from gbmini.net.

Written By: Gabe

johnsocal

Now that the MCS is available with an auto-tranny it looks like it will now start to outsell the MC here in the US.
nrkist

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted. Looks like it’s time to move on.
Brian

Too many on the road in Miami beach already
Elliot

Why does it matter that there are more MINIs on the road ? The original Mini was a car that cut across class lines, and was extremely popular. So now that more people are driving MINIs, has the driving fun and allure worn off? Is your MINI any less fun to drive?
RoccosModernLife

Well said, Elliot! :)
F.R Walter

The more, the merrier. For those who want exclusivity may I suggest the Morgan. http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk
http://users.adelphia.net/~rocketboy/index.html Rocketboy

Please, if you’re the type that isn’t intrested in their MINI anymore because you’re not the only one in a 30 mile radius with one, please, get rid of it. We don’t need such bitter dolts in a car as cool and fun as the MINI.
mataku

while i still love my MINI, i certainly understand why some find it discouraging. I’m sure for most that own the MINI, they feel that the MINI is something different and something unique. That was part of the appeal of the car.

now that more and more people are driving it, it is quite different. There are no more waves. New owners as not as enthusiastic about ownership. It’s just a popular thing to have. Furthermore, if everybody drives them, there will be all those bad drivers with their hands on a MINI, talking on the phone while driving, not paying attention to the road, I can’t bear to imagine that.

However, as long as the MINI remains to be a truly different car in terms of mechanics and qualities, then I will look to the MINI for future purposes. I just don’t want them to mess up the car down the road into something washed up.
johnsocal

The Mini’s such a great car so why should one be selfess to not want others to also have a car thats so much fun to drive and takes up less space.

I realize that some view cars as fashion accessory which goes out of style after a few years. For those of us who love to drive there is no reason to be sad if more people discover the Mini and the more expensive gasoline gets the more who seriously consider a Mini.

For those who want a new $20,000-$25,000 automotive fashion accessory there will a new 06 Mazda Miata, 06 Pontiac Solstice, 07 Saturn Sky, 05 Ford Mustang , 07 Toyota FJ cruiser, and etc. While all these cars should be great by their own right I dont think any of them can beat the bang-for-the-buck value and fun of my $18,000 Cooper.
Aurel

I still think the MINI is just way too quirky and unique for the Average Joe to drive. Not to mention that dealers are pretty far for most people who like convenience. I live in NYC and see alot on the road daily, but instead of pissing me off … it still gives me a thrill and a smile seeing a fellow Miniac. Right on!!!
Aurel

“Too many on the road in Miami beach already”

I hate to be an ahole, but I will be one anyway … hehe. But that is a typical comment from someone in those areas where life is kinda plastic and people buy things to stand out and impress others rather than just enjoy them.
dgszweda

Sale numbers are confusing for me in relation to the Mini. The Mini sells every car they make, and in almost all cases there are still waits for them. So really this amounts to the ability of the US to get a larger allocation. They weren’t able to keep up with the demand in 2002, 2003, 2004, or even now in 2005. So how are the allocations determined. The increase in overall output didn’t increase 23%, so that means sales had to go down in other countries, even though there is still extreme demand all over the world, and new markets are still staring (Korea).
MikeD

“New owners as not as enthusiastic about ownership.”

Not as enthusiastic? I’m one of those new owners, and I think I’m extremely enthusiastic! I ordered my MCS last September and it’s finally being built next week. The past few months have not been easy on those around me: 1)My co-workers have had to listen to my constant order status updates 2)My wife suffered about three months of “what do you like better, red or blue, stripes or no stripes, white wheels or silver wheels? 3) My kids now have a HUGE collection of MINI toys (RC, die cast, etc. 4)The family gets kicked off of the computer just so I can visit MOTORINGFILE and other MINI-related sites, sometimes for hours 5)Endless screenings of “The Italian Job” 6)Even our unborn child suffered, as I lobbied to give him the middle name “Cooper”. (he was born last week, middle name not Cooper)

There were two things that originally attracted me to this car. I like having so many choices when ordering. I’m a big fan of American cars from the 1960′s, when it was the same way. For years it seems my choices have been limited when ordering/buying: Package “A” “B” or “C”. What also brought me to the MINI was the cost. Who can pass up such a high-quality machine like this for the price it’s being offered?

I won’t say that my stomach didn’t turn when I once saw a group of bubble-gum chewing, high school age girls driving a brand new Cooper S. I’m just saying don’t lump all of the new owners together. I won’t be selling this car when I think too many others are driving one. I plan on teaching my new son to drive in my 2005 MCS.
mataku

obviously not all new MINI owners are not going to all be less enthusiastic, but as it gets more popular, more dealers, more conveinent, then there will be lots of people who buy it just for ohter reasons (popularity, status, attention, etc.)

I guess I’m just going on the basis of what I’ve heard. People tell me that everybody use to wave back in the days, but I’ve owned the car for half a year and have only has about 4 waves while seeing well over 50 MINI’s.

I used to be all excited and such when I saw a MINI, but after being shot down so many times, I’m more nervous to see a MINI cause it just makes me wonder if I should wave or not.
mataku

I’d like to say that I do like Johnsocal’s point.

I sure would rather see everyone in the road driving a MINI than an SUV.
TSizemore3

We will have to face the fact that as gas prices continue their march upward (thanks W) that more non-enthusiasts will start looking at the MINI as a small, fuel efficient car and not as an exciting driver’s car. It would be unfortunate if it dilutes the enthusiasm that has been built up for the marque but may be inevitable.
Frank

Well those people looking for a “small” and “fuel efficient” car are in for a delightful surprise….The Handling!

So expect to see more “converts” not only to small and efficient cars but cars that are also fun to drive.

We are witnessing the demise of the SUV.
More MINIS

Hey, all you, “I’m gonna get rid of my MINI or I will not buy another MINI now, since they are becoming popular”, crowd, I have one thing to say; “don’t let the door hit you on the way out”.

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