Clubman to Have Limited Availability in US

nina simone Dec 10th, 2007 Link

lookin’ for a sunny forecast from ALG?

it’s alright. that’s OK.

Reply

Mark Smith Dec 10th, 2007 Link

They already have a very sunny one. This Blog is all true. We only received three additonal Cooper Clubman’s to specify for customers seperate of the four pre specification models. We didn’t get any Cooper S Clubman’s other than the five Pre Spec models allocated to us which we cannot modify.

Reply

Ken Dec 10th, 2007 Link

If I can’t get the Clubman I want, I will buy something else.

Reply

VMMVMMM Dec 10th, 2007 Link

If I can’t get the Clubman I want, I will buy something else.

Sounds like a Captain Obvious quote to me…

Reply

Mark Smith Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Start e-mailing dealers to see what their order banks are like.

Reply

Chris W Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Another reason for the dealer to add a ridiculously high markup.

Reply

MINIme Dec 10th, 2007 Link

This is terrible news. I am sure this means the chance of getting the limited production SAV into the states just went from slim to no. Not to get too far ahead of ourselves here, but isn’t the U.S. market more likely to purchase the larger cars? It just goes to show that “volume is vanity and profit is sanity”. Oh well, I would hold out for the SAV anyway (as long as there is seating for 5).

Reply

dave Dec 10th, 2007 Link

why does bmw not make as much $ here? besides transportation and exchange, just ‘cuz cars are more expensive in europe?

Reply

Craig Dec 10th, 2007 Link

There are dealers that don’t sell above retail and will allow you to spec your Clubman as you like. They will be the dealers that sell out first though.

Reply

MSCLBMN Dec 10th, 2007 Link

I guess it is a good thing that I am not looking to buy until ‘09.

Reply

doug Dec 10th, 2007 Link

If I can’t get the Clubman I want, I will buy something else. Sounds like a Captain Obvious quote to me…

I don’t think it’s necessarily obvious to some people, or companies, that the lack of a great product can be gotten over!

Reply

Mark Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Okay, hype the heck out of it to the U.S. market, then sell them all in Italy. To funny…

Reply

GregW Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Well this blows out of the water the theory of the right hand rear “suicide door” being made for USA market. This decision does not seem fair to USA and limits sales numbers. This in turn pushes up demand and I bet there will be a premium over normal list prices for cars. Also it will limit options and colour choices to buyers.

Reply

Ken Dec 10th, 2007 Link

!

If I can’t get the Clubman I want, I will buy something else. Sounds like a Captain Obvious quote to me… I don’t think it’s necessarily obvious to some people, or companies, that the lack of a great product can be gotten over

Well said Doug. I was just pointing out that I would like to get a Clubman but if it is too difficult, it’s not worth the trouble. I own a MINI now and the Clubman is going to be a second car. If I can’t get a Clubman when I need a car I will probably never get one if I am forced to look elsewhere.

Reply

Hai Dec 10th, 2007 Link

I honestly think that this is just a lame excuse by BWM to cover up the lack of interest in the Clubman here in the United State. If people want a car that can comfortably fit 4 or even 5, there are obviouly better choices choices out there. The US is after all the land of SUV’s. The compact size of th MINI was refreshing when it was introduced and now BWM is trying to assimulate to the American market by making it bigger. News flash, uniqueness is what sells the MINI not a bigger one with terrible back split door design. I won’t be surprised if they cancel this model in 3 years.

Reply

Mark Smith Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Hai I highly disagree. I work at a MINI dealer that shall remain nameless (No shaeless plugs with respect to the companies that pay to be seen on here) and we have been taking deposits for this car since three years ago. This is how much excitement that has been surrounding this vehicle before MINI even really confirmed it was really being added to our line up. And most of these people have come back to spec out their cars. For this reason we are very well into summertime for availability but knowing MINI there is no reason this cannot change. Italy is a left hand drive market so I’m sure if it warrants it they can shift production to a different market to meet demand if is not doing as well in Italy. These are all projections. They want to hedge there bets in the biggest pot. Thye’re not perfect and could be incorrect. Don’t forget two things; 1. BMW is one of only two Auto Manufacturers that actually turns a regular year over year profit (Porsche is the other), 2. The Dollar is getting crushed by the Euro and while they don’t lose money on the cars they sell in the U.S. they don’t make as much and they are affected everytime there is a shift in the Euro’s favor. The only saving grace for MINI is that we happen to be one of the largest single markets that MINI sells in worldwide so the volume helps keep them in the black.

Reply

Mark Dec 10th, 2007 Link

I think Hai has hit the nail! Price (with a few options) pushes the Clubman into the $30K market, which likely spawns that lack of interest. Lots of very competitive choices at (and below) that price point. And yes, I too see this model vanishing in 3 – 4 years, when the Clubman’s step-child, the Clubfooted Colorado is introduced/replaces it.

Reply

Evan Dec 10th, 2007 Link

There’s a lot of interest in this car. If you’re not willing or wanting to wait out the low allocations, then don’t. It will make more available to those who do want a Clubman.

It is is incrementaly but significantly larger. It’s still a MINI, and if we remember correctly, BMW likes to be conservative in its numbers.

At launch in 2002 they were thinking about 20k MINIs in the USA per year, that quickly went to the high 30k’s even hitting 40k units. If Clubman demand increases, they can adjust production- the MINI like all BMWs is built at a highly flexible plant. All three versions go down the same line in varying numbers and specs. It’s really quite a beautiful system. They’ll adjust as needed. And keep the buzz up with it too…

Reply

Doug Dec 10th, 2007 Link

If you’re not willing or wanting to wait out the low allocations, then don’t. It will make more available to those who do want a Clubman.

MINI is a great product. But this snobby attitude, like, if you can’t throw your money down on a car that you’ve never seen in person, then step aside for the stampede who will, this gets tiring.

The internet is filled with zealots who make it look like you have to spend disposable income to show allegience to the cool product of the day. In the end, this isn’t a $300 ipod. It’s a $30,000 car.

Let’s remember that when you’re challenging MINI enthusiasts who are merely asking questions like smart, responsible consumers. We all get how cool MINI is.

Reply

Dr Obnxs Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Well that just sucks. But it’s not a surprise. I was talking to a friend, and with the $ in the toilet, it’s almost cheaper to buy a Mini here and ship it back to Europe! Remember, the dollar is at about $1.40 to the Euro, and prices didn’t rise 40% here, if it had, they wouldn’t see much at all! (no way would I pay $40k for a slightly optioned S). This is an issue if they think that the factory can less than world wide demand dictates. If that’s the case, you sell where you make the best $$$. but this can be a slippery slope. The new Ford Thunderbird was really hyped, and would have sold really well if the dealers hadn’t marked it up all they could. Buyers just went to more reasonable deals on other cars… Three years later, the T-bird was canceled.

I’m bummed, as I was thinking of getting one for my wife. We want to take the MDX out of commute duty, but no Clubman would mean we’d look to some other 4-door (two small kids in car seats.)

That sucks.

Matt

Reply

rhawth99 Dec 10th, 2007 Link

I’ve been interested in the Clubman since the first concepts were floated. I will not, however, spec and order a car that I have never test driven and checked out thoroughly. I currently own two R53s but that doesn’t mean I will blindly march to the BMW/MINI drum.

The marketplace is littered with examples of car companies that gouged consumers when the next hot thing initially came out and a couple of years later, the cars were languishing on the dealers lot. IMO, it is idiotic to ever pay over MSRP for ANY car.

Reply

AN Dec 10th, 2007 Link

BMW and MINI don’t gouge customers. Dealers are independent businesses and cannot by law be regulated. Though now that I said that, I wonder how Gm got the original Saturn dealers to not haggle or mark the cars up.

Reply

bavarian racing green Dec 10th, 2007 Link

…this is all a little silly…

…very early buyers may get some ‘additional over-charge(s)’ over here, but c’mon LOTS of cars have limited availability…

…the MINIs have always been, and continue to be limited availability…

…give it a couple of months of competition and the usual powers of supply and demand will take hold…

…if you custom order you are willing to wait anyway…

Reply

Evan Dec 10th, 2007 Link

I apologize for a “snobby” attitude and “tiring” you. I was speaking to the “zealots” who claim there is little interest in the car and it’ll be pulled in 3yrs time. No one knows for sure how the car will do, but based upon initial interest, it appears that the low allocations will be met with wait lists. I was merely making a counter argument, as good MINI enthusiasts do on these sites.

I’m sure very few of us here in the USA have driven the car yet, and only a hand full more have seen the car in person and sat in it. I’m certainly not a proponent of buying without seeing/driving. And even then I like to wait a bit for the teething problems to be sorted. Band wagon jumper I am not, devil’s advocate I am.

Motor On.

Reply

paul Dec 10th, 2007 Link

I’m curious how interest in the Clubman breaks down between current MINI owners and people who’ve never owned a MINI, or people who’ve never (previously) been interested in a MINI.

Reply

Bill Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Somehow, I’m not suprised, but when the dealers don’t make the sales they’ve intended, they’ll get on MINI USA’s back about the lack of product and things will change. given my experiences with the ‘04 MCS 40 I bought, (BMW/MINI had to give me an extended warranty to keep me happy w/o refunding my money under IL lemon laws) probably best to let them work out the bugs for a bit, both with the car and their marketing decisions.

Reply

rkw Dec 10th, 2007 Link

Personally I feel that if you think the Clubman isn’t worth the price, then you should think the coupe isn’t worth it either. Here’s one way to look at it. If Clubman had been readily available all along, how many current MINI owners would have chosen to spend about an extra $2000 for the slightly bigger car? That’s about the cost for the Nav or lounge leather. Here in the US, I think a very large proportion of buyers would have gone for the bigger car, and I predict a very successful future for the Clubman.

Reply

Gabe Dec 10th, 2007 Link

This is terrible news. I am sure this means the chance of getting the limited production SAV into the states just went from slim to no.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

There are dealers that don’t sell above retail and will allow you to spec your Clubman as you like. They will be the dealers that sell out first though.

Precisely. This is no different from when the MINI was released in ‘02 or when the convertible was released in the summer of ‘04.

Okay, hype the heck out of it to the U.S. market, then sell them all in Italy. To funny…

The Clubman is being hyped worldwide – the US is just a piece of the marketing puzzle.

I honestly think that this is just a lame excuse by BWM to cover up the lack of interest in the Clubman here in the United State.

If what I’m hearing from various MAs is true (and I have no reason to believe it isn’t) there’s a huge amount of interest in the Clubman.

MINI is a great product. But this snobby attitude, like, if you can’t throw your money down on a car that you’ve never seen in person, then step aside for the stampede who will, this gets tiring.

I don’t think being snobby has anything to do with this. It’s about creating demand and then just fulfilling that demand. It’s something American automakers are just starting to learn about.

I’m bummed, as I was thinking of getting one for my wife. We want to take the MDX out of commute duty, but no Clubman would mean we’d look to some other 4-door (two small kids in car seats.)

Again I don’t think a Clubman will be impossible to find this spring. It just means it’ll be a little more like the the coupe’s launch in 2002.

Reply

GoMiniGo Dec 11th, 2007 Link

Geez, just a little bit of opinions out there….

Do any of you old timers remember 2002 when the MCS launched? The dealers were claiming that there would only be 4 to 6 MCS’s per dealer per month!! And there were not as many US dealers back then. This held pretty much true for well over nine months until the ’03s came out. The original estimates were that the MCS demand was only going to about 25% of the overall market. They sure missed on that one.

If it was not for sites like this and MINI2, I would not know as much about the Clubman as I do. When I got my MCS in 02, I knew more about the car than the dealer! It is one thing to read the pre-advertisement articles in Autoweek, motortrend and others. However, when you get people like Gabe and Paul Mullett to give honest reviews of the car, you have a WHOLE lot better idea on the good AND bad of the cars. So Thanks Gabe!

Now I am off to call the dealer to see where we really are in the process. The Clubman has a maiden voyage to make to AMVIV 2008.

Reply

AN Dec 11th, 2007 Link

The other wild card is the economy. Not quite as robust as it was when the R50 launched. I, too, think you’ll be able to find the Clubman you want – with a bit of looking.

Reply

frank Dec 11th, 2007 Link

I have to side with the people here that say this is just hype to stir more interest in a car that had so much potential and won’t live up to the excitement and intrigue of the R50 and R53 and by now has lost the interest of American buyers. In my opinion this is what went wrong: first MINI was unable to secure the proper name for the car which should have been Traveller, second, the re-design which became the R56 and Clubman is disgusting (too many negatives to point out), third, the engine choice is all wrong, plus offer every country the same options and finally that idiotic “third door” …keep the product unique…if you need a car to haul a family around in and don’t like the idea of a proper shooting-brake then buy a Saturn or a Camry wagon. That’s all.

Reply

Mark sells MINI's Dec 11th, 2007 Link

This is all very interresting, it will be quite a show to see how everything plays out when this car arrives.

Daja Vu 2002

Reply

ValparaisoExpress Dec 11th, 2007 Link

I would like to offer a different perspective…. I believe MINI wants to protect R56 sales by limiting availability of the Clubman. In the country where “bigger is better” I just don’t see how the Clubman will not be a sales success. Better ride quality thanks to the larger wheelbase, better cargo capacity, easier/more comfortable access to rear quarters, while preserving the vaunted MINI “Go-kart”handling…what’s not to like?

Up to now, the main deterrent to many people interested in the MINI has been the lack of space in the standard model (Which I can refute as I find the standard car to be actually quite acommodating).

What really works against the Clubman is the admission price. This is one expensive MINI. I have put an order for a new ‘08 Clubman Cooper S with automatic transmission, rear fogs, metallic paint and MFSW as the only chosen options from the menu…. $26,200 MSRP and nearly $28,500 out-the-door after all has been said and done.

MINI has taken measures to protect R56 sales by making the R55 Clubman nearly $2K more expensive than the standard hardtops and limiting R55 production.

Let’s face it… The R56 has not been the strong seller MINI had hoped for. Dealers are still desperate to unload 2007 stock by offering low financing, subsidized lease deals and even no monthly payment offers until 2008.

Reply

rkw Dec 11th, 2007 Link

Not surprisingly, it seems that the naysayers simply hate the Clubman and wish it would just go away, and those who think it will do well are also considering buying one.

Reply

Jon Dec 11th, 2007 Link

I am sure the Clubman is going to sell well here in the US. If for no other reason I could see trying to sell more in markets that will be more profitable. I am sure the selling capacity will grow quickly.

Reply

Mark Smith Dec 11th, 2007 Link

I think a lot of people are missing the mark a bit here. This will be one more model with four different variants being added to a production facility that already builds two other models with four different variants each. This is twelve different variations of thre different models coing from one maxed out facility. This will be somewhat a learning excorcise for MINI and BMW Group since we all know the new model will conquest a few (mind you very few) convertibles and significantly more of the standard hardtop. They will need time to re evaluate the product mix and then adjust to it. I give them credit for being so flexible. Don’t call me a BMW Group Fanboy but I do like MINI A LOT and I want to see them continue to do well. I forsee all of these happenings as positive growing pains that will ultimately lead to the clientel being happy once they get control of getting the proper product mix out there based on demand from dealers. Based on my drive of this car back in September in Hamburg this car is going to do very very well.

Reply

cct1 Dec 11th, 2007 Link

Reading through all this, the one conclusion I’m guessing at is that the Clubman is going to be brought over in relatively small numbers to the U.S., and the Colorado will eventually be brought in larger numbers to the U.S. market as opposed to other countries. This is probably a bit stereotypical, but it almost seems the Clubman is built more toward european sensibilities, and the Colorado more toward what the typical U.S. consumer is after, for better or for worse.

In the long run though, if the demand for the Clubman is through the roof, I suspect the numbers shipped to the U.S. will eventually reflect that. That’s kind of what happened in the beginning with the base Cooper versus S; over the years, the relative proportion of each changed over the life cycle of 1st generation MINI, and while some of that was production related initially (just like the initial allotments of the Clubman), I’d bet the eventual final ratios were eventually determined by market demand. If the demand is there and consistent, I suspect we’ll see the Clubman in ever increasing numbers. Having said that, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Clubman’s sales in the U.S. were eclipsed by Colorado sales.

Reply

Gabe Dec 11th, 2007 Link

cct1 – for what it’s worth, I think that last paragraph is spot on.

Reply

ValparaisoExpress Dec 12th, 2007 Link

Hey Gabe, why are you moderating and deleting my posts? Are you getting pissed because I am getting a Clubman?

Reply

Gabe Dec 12th, 2007 Link

Hey Gabe, why are you moderating and deleting my posts? Are you getting pissed because I am getting a Clubman?

Hey Frank – nice to hear from you as always. I don’t really do much of the post moderation anymore so I’m not aware of what you’re referring to.

Not sure what you mean by your last sentence but I hope you enjoy your R55. Can’t wait to have one as a press car for a week.

Reply

John Dec 13th, 2007 Link

Its always funny to me how so many people can have so many opinions and offer them with so much authority. The car is what it is, not what someone who likes it says it is, or someone who doesn’t says it isn’t. Sales will be what they turn out to be. The market is full of choices, pick what works for you. In the end, you will pick from what is available. Wishes don’t count. We can all sit on the edge of our seats, but until the car is in front of you, you are gambling and speculating. I personally don’t do that with a dealer or a salesman. So good luck with all the opinions. Reality will trump them all.

Reply

Bilbo Baggins Dec 13th, 2007 Link

It would not bother me at all to see the allocations reduced and so that the MINI will remain more “exclusive”. That isn’t a bad idea.

There are way too many people driving MINIs that do not wave, flash, or smile while driving. They just do not understand that a MINI is more than just a “cute” car. It is a whole body experience, a way of life, an attitude, a community, a family.

It would also help to keep the resale vaules up ;-) Which I could thouroughly get behind.

JOHO

Reply

Motoring Advisor Dec 13th, 2007 Link

We’ve got 13 in the pipeline. 9 are spoken for. The other four can be modified to the customers specs. I anticipate we will get 4-5 a month throughout 2008.

Reply

Ken Dec 14th, 2007 Link

Clubman has been ordered. NO problem.

Reply

Jon Dec 14th, 2007 Link

Should be interesting to see how some of the Mini dealerships deal with the increasing range of Mini models. I know my local dealership is tight on its display area. Makes me wonder if Mini’s long term plan is to push for stand alone dealerships.

Reply

Aussom Dec 16th, 2007 Link

Will be interesting to see what situation arises for the competitive Australian vehicle market. While the Clubman is a new product, the competitors will catch up soon if there’s a potential market opportunity (consider the Ford Fiesta XR4, Suzuki Swift, Volkswagen Golf R32 and turbo-charged Mazda3 MPS that compete against the MINI hatch at lower prices on average).

Will be interesting to see if BMW will also follow a similar limited release strategy for the potential SAV (considering that Australia currently has the Suzuki SX4 hatch). Can understand BMW’s possible approach in applying the barn door design plus a fuel-efficient engine with strong power-to-weight ratio as a key differentiator – especially against the powerful Mazda CX-7 turbocharged SUV crossover.

However there is a risk in following limited release strategies with fully legally protected BMW supply – in that locating and supplying parts could be increasingly difficult later on which could make the parts prohibitively expensive and increasingly drop the price of used vehicles over the medium to longer term.

Reply

Doogs Dec 18th, 2007 Link

Everyone said the same things a few years ago about the four-door Wrangler (who’ll buy that, at that price they’ll get something else, etc).

Last time I looked, the 4-door was outselling the 2-door something like three to one, and is pretty much the only success story Chrysler has at the moment.

I think the Clubman will prove popular for the same reasons. The Mini, like the Wrangler, is both iconic and fun. And, like the Wrangler, it’s not exactly the most practical vehicle on the road.

For everyone who wanted the “Wrangler experience” but needed four doors for kids/trips to Ikea, the Wrangler Unlimited was a godsend.

Now imagine all the Mini owners (or admirers) who crave just a little more room, space to load a stroller and leave the back seats up, or load one more chair in the back.

The wife and I have a baby on the way, and I’ll see how it goes with the MCS, but I can totally see myself shopping the Clubman after a year of car seat antics.

Reply

VehicleBuzz.net » Blog Archive » Limited MINI Clubman availabilty in the U.S. for 2008 Feb 17th, 2008 Link

[...] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments [...]

Regan Mar 2nd, 2008 Link

Howdy. I’m new to this website. I’ve enjoyed reading everyone’s comments. Currently I drive a 91 Acura Integra. Love that car alot, except it’s falling apart, has 180,000 miles, recently caught on fire, and to my dismay was heroically saved by a coworker before it reached the point of no return. I had to fix it, and I’m still driving it but reality set in that I need a new car and so my search began last December. I looked high and low, considered everything, picked my male coworkers brains ALOT. Almost had a cheap 2000 Lexus SUV lined up, but after a bit of research found a slew of engine oil gel catastrophic failures tied to that year make and model along with a bunch of other affected Toyota products. I was in love with the Integra body style and traveled down the path of 2000-2001 Integra’s (last year for that car.) My husband really really wanted a 4 door sedan and so I opened my self up to those possibilities. Fuel economy is important to me, my Integra gets about 29-30 on average. I wanted to stay with a 4-cyl based on that. I really really liked the Ford Fusion body style, but the performance SUCKED, then I read an article in Car and Driver that totally bashed it, and praised the Accord and the Camry. No surprise there but I just couldn’t get excited about anything, AND THEN I found myself on the MINIUSA website and saw the Clubman for the first time. My husband has always like the MiniCooper but we blew it off based on size. He’s 6′2″ and can’t comfortably get in and out of my Acura, but the extended size of the Clubman suddenly entered it into the realm of possibilities. So I waited till the car show and dragged my husband around to all the cars I was considering, and stuffed him inside to gauge his unfiltered opinion. Basically out of all the middle of the road midsize sedans, nothing was really appealing to either one of us until we went into the Jaguire, BMW, LEXUS, and Acura room. The Clubman was there. We sat in it opened up all the doors, ooed and ahhhed. We both REALLY liked it but still thought it impractical. We both totally dig the Acural TL but those are everywhere and too much $$$. On a whim two weeks ago we went to drive the Clubman. It was the first Cooper driving experience for both of us. There was a smiled plasered on our faces the WHOLE time. We were so happy, and then the next week we ordered one. Get it at the end of April beginning of May. Moral of the story is I nevered considered a Cooper until the Clubman based on size. Now that we’re entering into the MiniCooper lifestyle, we couldn’t be happier with our choice. I might need some schooling on etiquette though.

Reply

Bert Jun 13th, 2008 Link

I really like the Clubman but I’ll not buy one now with unnecessary dealer markups. I’ll never spend that kind of money on something I’m not able to get my hands on first. I can wait.

It’s not just Mini doing markups though, Toyota is going overboard on the Prius and Honda on the Hybrid Civic.

Reply

ridwanzero Dec 29th, 2009 Link

Hello…..I wanted to stay with a 4-cyl based on that. I really really liked the Ford Fusion body style, but the performance SUCKED, then I read an article in Car and Driver that totally bashed it, and praised the Accord and the Camry. No surprise there but I just couldn’t get excited about anything, AND THEN I found myself on the MINIUSA website and saw the Clubman for the first time. My husband has always like the MiniCooper but we blew it off based on size. He’s 6′2″ and can’t comfortably get in and out of my Acura, but the extended size of the Clubman suddenly entered it into the realm of possibilities. So I waited till the car show and dragged my husband around to all the cars I was considering, and stuffed him inside to gauge his unfiltered opinion. Basically out of all the middle of the road midsize sedans, nothing was really appealing to either one of us until we went into the Jaguire, BMW, LEXUS, and Acura room…

onlineuniversalwork

Reply