MINI USA Sales Up 0.3% for December 2014
To many of you this probably reads like MINI sales in the US are stable, but this is actually big news. While **6,615** vehicles sold in December 2014 only represents a **0.3%** increase compare to the same month last year (i.e. **6,592**), the brand sets a new record. It is not only MINI USA’s best December ever but also their best month since the British icon came back to US shores. Looking back at the end of the summer, this seemed like an impossible task to achieve, but we at MotoringFile predicted early on that our favorite brand was doing just fine. We actually reminded our readers of that most [recently](https://www.motoringfile.com/2014/12/22/opinion-a-tricky-year-for-the-f56-and-mini-usa/).
Unsurprisingly, the Hardtop (**4,176** units) and the Countryman (**1,941** units) are driving most of the volume while the Coupe and the Roadster are bidding their farewell. As for the Paceman, it continues to disappoint with **129** units, its fourth lowest month since it’s introduction in March 2013.
With the F55 four-door Hardtop picking up steam and the F54 Clubman about to join the ranks, we’re refining our initial forecast for 2015 with 12-month sales between **68,500** and **71,000** vehicles. What are your predictions for 2015?
Official Release: The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported December sales of **48,141** vehicles, an increase of **9.5%** from the **43,981** vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. At year end, the BMW Group (BMW and MINI combined) is up **5.3%** on sales of **395,850** compared to **375,782** in 2013, a new record for the BMW Group U.S.
“The record result in 2014 for BMW proves that solid growth is still possible when you have the right products that provide good value for the customer,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The increases across the BMW line make us optimistic about what’s possible in 2015. I am also very glad to see that MINI set a new sales record in December and I have no doubt MINI will have a great year now that the new models are becoming available.”
**MINI Brand Sales – best December**
MINI USA reported its best December with sales of 6,615 automobiles, an increase of **0.3%** from the **6,592** sold in the same month a year ago. For the year, MINI sales in the U.S. are down **15.6%** to **56,112** compared to **66,502** in 2013.
**MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles – best year and month**
In December, MINI used automobiles (including MINI NEXT certified pre-owned and pre-owned) reported sales of **2,083** automobiles, an increase of **6.6%** from the **1,954** sold in December, 2013. For the year 2014, MINI used vehicle sales are up **12.4%** on volume of **24,765** compared to **22,033** in the same period of 2013.
<p>As my R53 Checkmate was aging well I added my Coupe because I really did not care for the R56 at all (just not for me). If you have not driven the twins then you are missing out on a lot of fun. They stayed quirky and a blast to drive and I personally will be sad to see them go. The F56 is really a fantastic machine and combined with the 4 door will be a huge hit. My question though after driving the F56 Coupe and 4 door extensively is, “Is it fun?” and I am not really sure. As I said, it is a great machine in every aspect but I do not get that feeling I had from the R53. Every single day when I got to my car I wanted to go for long drives and planned tons of rallies with other owners and when the car started, it was like a puppy that wanted to play.
The Countryman is a sales need (just needs a refresh to interior) and with the Clubman getting larger, it will be interesting to see how it impacts. I will not be sad when the Paceman is gone unless they turned it into the Adventure concept and then I actually liked the thing.
Once the twins and Paceman are gone, MINI needs to have a puppy again. Rocketman or another smaller production car that is back to roots.
MINI should try to find a way to keep the price down just a bit to keep people from looking around though. Once you add in all those accessories, you have a hefty price tag.
Just my two cents…</p>
<p>I agree with most of this. Especially the price thing. When I use the configurator to set up an F56 the way I would like it, the price gets to $30K which is more than I will pay. So I’m keeping the Coupe for now. If MINI doesn’t come out with something smaller I will have to look elsewhere. There are a ton of hatchbacks out there these days that are just a bit bigger than the F56 at much lower prices which is where I will probably end up.</p>
<p>You mention that there a ton of hatchbacks out there to consider…..Ok, where are they? VW GTI, (if you think Mini has gotten bigger you won’t like the VW), now, what else? Audi S5, too much cost, BMW 2, 4, 6, again except for the 2, these are all way above my budget.</p>
<p>If you look around, yes there are hatches, but they’re just about all, 4-doors, and I won’t look at a four door. As for MINI now, I like most of what I see in the new factory JCW and if they can offer the coil over JCW suspension kit (which they probably won’t) I could see myself staying with MINI for another round. This next one will probably be my last new car, anyway.</p>
<p>I had the chance to drive back to back the R58 Coupe and the F56 during MTTS this year and I had tones of fun. We actually wrote a review about it: <a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2014/08/25/5142-miles-aboard-the-2014-f56-s/" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2014/08/25/5142-miles-aboard-the-2014-f56-s/</a></p>
<p>I don’t think we’ll ever have another car that was as much sheer fun to drive as the R53. Here’s to hoping the Superleggera fits the bill. I suspect the Rocketman will be too much of a strict city car to bring back the sportiness of the R53.</p>
<p>I don’t think we’ll ever have another car that was as much sheer fun to drive as the R53. Here’s to hoping the Superleggera fits the bill. I suspect the Rocketman will be too much of a strict city car to bring back the sportiness of the R53.</p>
<p>think the problem is that the vast majority of the driving public
wants refinement to the max and we as enthusiasts want a little (or a
lot of feedback). I owned an early 78 911 SC (I know, I know, an extreme
example) but the driving experience was almost an assault to the senses
compared to any daily driver. Cars such as the E30 M3, the MK1 GTI and I
will add the MINI R50/53 are gone forever. Most people won’t know or
care what they are missing but we certainly will.</p>
<p>BTW, not to start anything but the front end of the MINI in the rendering looks really nice.</p>
<p>I think the problem is that the vast majority of the driving public wants refinement to the max and we as enthusiasts want a little (or a lot of feedback). I owned an early 78 911 SC (I know, I know, an extreme example) but the driving experience was almost an assault to the senses compared to any daily driver. Cars such as the E30 M3, the MK1 GTI and I will add the MINI R50/53 are gone forever. Most people won’t know or care what they are missing but certainly will.</p>
<p>BTW, not to start anything but the front end of the MINI in the rendering looks really nice.</p>
<p>I tried to edit/delete the above post but it won’t work. It was meant as a response to the OP.</p>
<p>I always like to use design sketches because they give us a nice glimpse into MINI’s design process. This rendering is actually 99% close to reality when compared to the standard Cooper.</p>
<p>Except the hood on the production car is quite a bit longer. I know the minimal overhang shown on the rendering is not possible due to the pedestrian impact standards.</p>
<p>2015 is going to be a fantastic year for MINI. All the indications are there. In the final three months of 2014, MINI sold more cars globally, than in any previous fourth quarter ever! Despite all the negativity from doom-mongers, F56 is a huge success, and the F55 five-door with its extra dose of practicality, will capitalise on that. Most remarkable of all, however, is the continued phenomenal success of the Countryman, the only MINI in 2014 to remain in positive sales growth throughout the whole of 2014. Together with the all-new F54 Clubman, production of which starts in July 2015, and the all-new F57 Convertible later in the year, my predictions are that we shall witness global MINI sales figures in 2015, the like of which have never been seen before.</p>