From MINI PR:

Demand for MINI brand automobiles remains strong and MINI USA reported July sales of 3,084 automobiles-a 7.6 percent jump from the 2,866 cars reported in July 2002. Sales of MINI automobiles for the first seven months of 2003 totaled 20,614. MINI went on sale in the U.S. on March 22, 2002 and last year, MINI USA reported sales of 9,605 cars through July 31, 2002.

This must be good news to MINIUSA. It's been over a year since the US introduction and the MINI still selling as briskly as ever.

What was really telling was a couple experiences I had at a wedding lastnight. Several friends (who aren't specifically into cars more than the average person) found out that I had a MINI and immediately started prompting me with questions. Interestingly two of them had the idea that the MINI cost twice as much as it does. They were so taken by the starting price of the Cooper and the whole package that I'm now taking one of them out for a test drive next week and the other is visiting her dealership in San Fransico when she flies back Monday.