This comes from BMW Group Chairman Dr. Panke and his recent statement at BMW's recent quarterly report:

“Vehicle sales of the MINI brand in the third quarter have exceeded our expectations. We have never sold as many vehicles of the MINI brand in one quarter as in the third quarter of 2003, with over 47,200 units. This amounts to an increase of 11.3 % over last year. As of October, the MINI brand in fact saw an increase of 25%.

Analysis

It'll be interesting to see if MINI's sales hold up as well over the next year. By spring the MINI will be going into it's third(!) year in the in the US (almost 4th in the UK) with an additional model and minor changes still eight months away. If MINI can hold it's sales ground over the long winter and spring months it may be yet another impressive year.