MINI USA exec Jim McDowell hasn’t been shy about his optimism for 2009 sales. Here’s the latest piece on the matter from Automotive News:
McDowell’s optimism comes despite a 15.4 percent sales drop in January compared with January 2008. “People held off not because they can’t afford a Mini. It’s a question of whether this is the right time,” says McDowell. “It is normal for Mini to have a slow winter. January is normally our slowest month.”
McDowell says he bases his forecast on encouraging signs “in a very difficult economy”:The second-generation Mini Cooper convertible goes on sale March 28. Prices, including shipping, will range from $24,550 for the base version to $34,950 for the high-performance John Cooper Works convertible that debuts in April. Traffic on the Miniusa.com Web site is increasing. More buyers are configuring cars, and leads are going to dealers. The order bank started to build in late January.
+ Mini chief: ’09 sales will top 2008 record / Automotive News
