Official MINI Press Release: Sales of MINI, at 46,978 units delivered in the first quarter of 2007, were 5.1% below the previous year’s level (49,518). The new MINI has been available in all the major markets worldwide since March. In a month-on-month comparison, sales in March 2007 almost reached last year´s level. The number of MINI sold reached 21,441 vehicles, which is 1.5% below last year (21,763). The increasing availability of the new MINI and the addition of the new MINI Cooper D and the new MINI One to the model range this month will increase sales clearly for MINI too over the next few months.
The market launch of the new MINI Clubman is also planned for this year.
Doom and gloom, they sky is falling the sky is falling lol.
I am quite sure that the sales figures for April will pull in closer if not surpase the prior year, fully expect though that it will take some matter of months yet until the figures balance out. I also think that the upcoming months may actually show a bit of a slide. I know a great many people that bought a new R53 at the last moment.
The true test should be about this time next year, let the Clubman hit the streets, JCW and a year for the basic issues with the R56 to work themselves out and we should start seeing some very good figures.
was this unexpected or expected? i know earlier the slump has been explained by switching the factory over and the new car going on sale “soon” etc, but did they expect to be “up” by now, or not? officially obviously they’re going to say this is in line with or exceeding expectations, but what’s the reality?