Sections: Official News | Sales Jun 4th, 2008 19 Comments 
MINI USA Press Release: MINI USA reported an all-time record in May. The brand sold 6,312 cars, a 52.8 percent increase compared to 4,130 cars sold in the same period a year ago. MINI USA also reported sales of 21,189 cars for the first five months of 2008, an increase of 36 percent over the 15,585 vehicles sold in the same period a year ago.
Both the MINI Cooper and Cooper S, as well as the new MINI Clubman were very well received during the month of May.
Says Jim McDowell, Vice-President MINI USA: “Dealers are seeing a wide range of trade-ins including a lot of full-size SUVs and pick-up trucks as America thinks more about the cost of fuel. As a result, we are seeing more consideration for small premium vehicles like MINI than ever before.”
Mike B Jun 4th, 2008 Link
I think you will see smaller cars as the norm for America(not a bad thing) It only makes sense that more people will discover MINI and realize how good a vehicle it is, both from a gas-savings and fun-to-drive point of view. It will only add more money to BMW coffers and hopefully this will translate into more R&D for MINI as a whole and more fun products down the road!
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rhawth99 Jun 4th, 2008 Link
Too bad – I had thought about checking on trading one of our MINIs for a Clubman, but the dealership will be even more arrogant now with these very brisk sales. Great timing on MINIs part to have the Clubman come out this year and also to have the Prince engine in all the models with it’s vastly improved gas mileage.
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Ian C. Jun 4th, 2008 Link
As always, all USA monthly sales figures tracked on GBMINI.net … and the sales chart makes it very clear what an amazing month this was!
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Aquasar Jun 4th, 2008 Link
Maybe America is getting smarter becuase we have been forced to downsize our vehicles?
Art
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callahan Jun 4th, 2008 Link
What’s even more impressive to me is I personally was responsible for a .02122 percent sales increase for the month of April.
I wonder when BMW will be mailing my commission check
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gokartride Jun 4th, 2008 Link
A very impressive leap in what appears to be a good year for MINI overall!!
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Jon Jun 4th, 2008 Link
A solid “!”
Great job Mini and love seeing our brand doing so well. I think what would be an interesting stat would be to compare Mini sales with other small car sales. I believe this result is partially due to the gas prices and partially to making a excellent little car.
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ontheroadagain Jun 4th, 2008 Link
I just sent an email linking this article to the writer of an article in today’s NY Times. If you haven’t read the article it’s worth reading – but why oh why they never include the absolutely amazing sales of MINIs, I don’t know.
Thanks for all the work you do in keeping everyone apprised of all things MINI. :-)
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ulrich Jun 4th, 2008 Link
I hope this makes Audi rethink not bringing the A1 to the US instead of yet another frikking SUV. The US is ready for smaller cars and we need more choices.
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Dr Obnxs Jun 4th, 2008 Link
This is excellent news for the US, but that also means that Mini USA is taking up an ever increasing percentage of the manufacturing capacity. Since the dollar tanked so much, I wonder if there’s a price rise on the horizon? Or a capacity expansion?
And I agree on the Audi 1 series…
Matt
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Jon Jun 4th, 2008 Link
I also would love to see the Audi 1, then again no surprise there since I don’t seem to have to ability to tolerate suvs.
Interesting view Matt.
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JP Jun 4th, 2008 Link
Let’s call it what it is a panic! Even the lowly Ford Focus is in demand. Of course MINI is in the premium part of the market. Even used MINIs have become part of the equation. For example, my dealer is asking more than new prices for certified 05-06s.The rush is on and where it will end is anybodies guess, but gasoline where I live near Seattle is $4.55 for regular and nearly $4.80 for premium.
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Bilbo Baggins Jun 4th, 2008 Link
Aquasar Jun 4th, 2008 Link Maybe America is getting smarter becuase we have been forced to downsize our vehicles? Art
Just because they are being forced, against their wills, into changing to smaller cars does not mean that they are getting smarter. If they were to do it by choice there might be some hope.
If and when the price of gasoline drops they will be snapping up the large vehicles once more. Having learned nothing.
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peter knockstead Jun 4th, 2008 Link
You are right in so far as they don’t have to deal and wont deal but wasn’t it the same way last year anyway. Look on the bright side, you have a cool car that everyone seems to want. Consider yourself fortunate to get a great car and a reasonable (base) price.
(Mini) membership has its privileges.
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GregW Jun 5th, 2008 Link
If USA sales are up that much – where is the extra production coming from? Lesser markets will bring shortages. Now we know what happens when shortages happen – residual resale prices rise and premium prices are not negotiable. Not a bad thing if you currently own a MINI.
Reply[...] as reported yesterday, MINIUSA Sales are up over 50%. It finally looks like the day of the SUV has [...]
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