Comments on: MINI USA Sales up 56% for October

By: Josh

Josh — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:02:56 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe it. Most of the other car manufacturers are in trouble, sales wise and yet MINI is thriving.

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:36:28 +0000

VW already has a R60 competitor…. The small Tiguan SUV.

By: ausalan

ausalan — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:42:36 +0000

Overall BMW Group sales were fairly flat, with the uptick in MINIs compensating for most of the decline in BMWs, yet BMW group profits are way down. This suggests that the increase in MINI sales may not be such a bright spot for BMW Group profitability. Looks like a lot of high-margin Bimmers have been replaced by low-margin MINIs. The reallocation of MINIs to the North American market can’t be helping profits either, since other posters have noted that selling prices in the U.S. are lower than those in Europe. With high American demand and low profits, can price increases be far behind?

By: JonPD

JonPD — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 01:11:38 +0000

laverdera actually in many ways your right but honestly the small crossover market has more than a few very direct competitors for the R60 in both quality and price. Also if you look at the sales data for the auto industry the market is swinging more towards economy versus luxury in many ways, and is likely to keep doing so until this economy turns around.

I do believe that the R60 will sell, though I lay money down most will be in climates that makes the AWD laughable. I will bet that more are sold in the hot Mini markets in California and Florida still to allow the moms to safely drive over the speed bumps on the way to soccer practice ;).

By: lavardera

lavardera — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:21:52 +0000

BMW’s performance on that chart was better than almost all the other manufacturers. They may not be meeting goals, but they are head and shoulders above many others who’s continuation may be in question.

I dont’ buy this saturated market idea kicking around up thread. The market is changing, and so is demand. It won’t be saturated if more people decide they want a small car. And if these are upscale buyers coming to a small car they are going to find that Mini is the only offering that has the luxury options they are accustomed to – face it, even the most pimped out Yaris or Hyundai does not have the options offered in the Mini. And it will be the same for the R60 – luxuray SUV owners looking for a small SUV won’t find the options they are used to in current offerings of compact SUVs. Mini is likely to score a win here as well.

By: SFRedMCc

SFRedMCc — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 21:17:59 +0000

I think the main appeal of the R60 will be the AWD for those living in cold and snowy climates. Seems like they could have added the RWD to the Clubman with a lot less “theatrics”. Just raise the height a bit and redesign the rear to make room for the RWD. Same goes for the “requirement” of the contrasting rear trim on the Clubman. I opted for black trim to help make it “go away” and also keep the look of the wrap-around glass. My salesman thinks they did it so the Clubman would really “stand out” as a different model. I still prefer the much cleaner rear design of the R56. Has anyone heard anything about the new “name” for the R60?

By: r.burns

r.burns — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:02:16 +0000

We can see in Europ that even the Clubman has reached a step, and it stops litterally once the demand for such a car is satisfied… they tried to make it shiny and “sex-appealing” for the 2008 Paris “Mondial de l’Auto” (JCW R113, midnight black and 2 others…) but the classic Mini stays, like the 911 for Porsche

By: Zack

Zack — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:48:10 +0000

I agree with JonPD; BMW would really benefit from introducing new city or lightweight vehicles.

I also would have to agree with r.bums; there's a good chance that MINI's sales in the United States may start waning in years ahead. The car is still very hot and in demand, but once the demand is met, I can't see too much more growth in the brand here in the states.

I could be wrong, but the MINI isn't a car from everyone... it targets a certain breed of person. As soon as the market is saturated enough, I doubt MINI's sales will be in the upward swing of growth that it is right now. The MINI Crossover/"SUV" is a step at expanding brand appeal, but in my opinion, it's too risky. There are too many other brands in the crossover market that make a similar product at a fraction of the cost.

By: r.burns

r.burns — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 19:29:10 +0000

I don't want to worry you, but in Europe Mini is slowing down (...and BMW = ok) _____________

So does Mini reach a sort of maximum, or is it temporary ? Future will answer

By: JonPD

JonPD — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 18:01:14 +0000

Though BMW is still doing much better than most of the major manufactures even with the BMW brand, and having Mini really is paying dividends right now. Think BMW would be really wise to get a city car or lightweight car on the market asap as I still think thats were the near future is at.

By: C4

C4 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:57:47 +0000

However, the BMW group as a whole is having a very tough time.

BMW abandons 2008 profit target on poor Q3 results:

http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds/afx/2008/11/04/afx5643199.html

MINI is obviously the bright spot for BMW AG at the moment, but if they suffer, MINI sooner or later will suffer as well. MINI can not sustain the entire BMW Group conglomerate in despite of solid sales numbers.

By: eto

eto — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:54:44 +0000

Taken from the autoblog post linked by lavardera:

only a few bright spots from Audi and MINI, the latter of which enjoyed monster sales last month we suspect on account of greater production capacity this year versus October 2007

I don't think there is any difference in production from last year to this year. MINIs are selling well in the US, so allocations from other countries were redirected to meet the great demand. Go, MINI, Go!

By: C4

C4 — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:53:38 +0000

This is great news and what this helps accomplish is further soldify our resale values.

By: JonPD

JonPD — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:40:51 +0000

Just goes to show that Mini’s formula still resonates with the general car buying public. Still get some humor though that once again Cross-overs and SUVs are tanking, and meanwhile the R60 looms. It does make me wonder how its going to be received since many of its direct competition is having downturns in their sales. There is no doubt that Mini is going to sell more than a few but introducing this while the market for even small SUV’s is tanking seems like quite the risk.

By: lavardera

lavardera — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 15:05:53 +0000

The numbers at autoblog are pretty amazing. Mini has one of the highest percentages of change, albeit in a positive direction while all the rest are negative.

sales results for October

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:58:31 +0000

[broken link - forgot the http bit!] Sales figures are here

By: Ian C.

Ian C. — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:57:08 +0000

Another bumper crop of sales! Except for the no-longer-made convertible of course (which makes the other sales even more impressive). Once again, all sales figures tracked on GBMINI ...

By: DBM

DBM — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:56:44 +0000

I’m impressed compared with what is going on with the rest of the car industry, Mini is doing incredibley well.

By: Sideways

Sideways — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:55:30 +0000

Is anyone else cringing at the thought of seeing more and more Clubbie’s with Lift Kits???

By: BJ

BJ — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 13:27:41 +0000

“Downsize not downgrade” is the reason.