MINI USA this month has delivered the 150,000th MINI sold in the US to a customer in New Mexico. This sales milestone has been achieved three-and-a-half years ahead of schedule. The lucky customer, Ramon Aragon, picked up his Pepper White MINI Cooper that he purchased through Sandia MINI in Albuquerque, NM.
Like most MINI customers, the 21 year-old Ramon special-ordered his MINI Cooper from the factory, customizing his car with options that include a black roof and bonnet stripes, a Premium Package and the sporty “Checkmate Package” that offers special interior trim and exterior checkerboard graphics.
In fact, more than 60% of MINI owners uniquely configure the MINI they want and custom-order it from the factory. In addition, MINI owners add an average of $5,000 worth of factory and dealer installed options to customize their cars.
“We are delighted that we have achieved this sales milestone much earlier than expected.†said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “MINI was planned to be a profitable business based on selling 20,000 cars a year. Last year alone we have sold 40,820 MINIs in the US. It is truly a testament to the product and the brand that MINI remains highly desirable four years on from launch.â€ÂÂ
Sandia MINI, where the 150,00th MINI was retailed, opened its doors in Albuquerque, NM at the end of 2004 with a new state-of-the-art-facility. The 10,000-square-foot location is ideally positioned in the Southwest to serve the needs of MINI customers who may not be conveniently located near MINI’s Phoenix AZ, Denver CO or Oklahoma City OK dealer points.
“My staff and I are thrilled that Sandia MINI has had the opportunity to sell and deliver the 150,000th MINI Cooper in the United States.†said Mike Houx, owner of Sandia MINI. “The timely and “happenchance” delivery here in Albuquerque helps to underscore the strong sales momentum we have seen for MINI in the New Mexico market since we opened our store in December, 2004.
<blockquote>In addition, MINI owners add an average of $5,000 worth of factory and dealer installed options to customize their cars.</blockquote>
That’s pretty amazing. It’s also exactly how much I added to my MCS. 🙂 25% is a pretty sizable percentage. I’d do it again in a heartbeat, tho.
So did the dude who bought it – Ramon – get anything out of it? Some free floor mats maybe??
Chad, LOL, I would have liked free mats!
Hmmm, so they were projected to be profitable at 20k per year, and they’re selling 40k….so MINIUSA, how about some more dealers! Not too many to dilute the brand, but to augment the existing network. AFAIK it really hasn’t increased in the four years either.
It would certainly justify the capital investment….IMHO.
Wonder how many of those 150,000 are rusting under the door sills… sorry-off topic.
I wonder how many of those sales were to repeat customers?
I’ve bought 4 in 5 years, 3 of them special order, and there are quite a few folks around here that have bought more than 1 new one. I’ve even met someone that exceeded my total -! (one guy on his 5th).
I’d guess MINI has a higher percentage of short-term repeat business than any other make.
BTW, I noticed that MINI came in at #16 on the UK reliability index of the 100 most reliable autos… thats really good!!
http://www.reliabilityindex.co.uk/tophundred.html?apc=3128339010848601
Sandia MINI is where i got my MCS 2005…..
I visited Sandia MINI during my travels and found they are truly a class act. One thing I noticed was the extra graphics they put on their vehicles. The MINI manager told me a local graphics shop works with them to make their MINI’S just a bit more special than what other’s get…
…pepper white MINI was the color for the 150,000th MINI sold in North America. Ahhhhhh…an excellent choice,Sir.
Does anyone have any numbers of Mini sales in Canada? I have to assume it would be around 1/10th of the US (population ratio).
Still tryiing hard to decide on that Canadian Checkmate MCS sitting at my local dealer or to do a special order on a 2007…
Decisions, decisions.
Jake
Strange that <a href="http://www.gbmini.net/mtblog/archive/2006/05/150000_minis.shtml" rel="nofollow">the sales figures</a> showed 150,000 happening in April, but this press release didn’t come out till end of May …