Official Release: MINI USA reported December sales of 3,566 automobiles, up 0.1 percent from the 3,562 cars sold in December 2007. In 2008, the division reported sales of 54,077 automobiles, an increase of 28.6 percent, compared to the 42,045 cars reported in 2007.
“Fuel efficiency and small cars had a big year in 2008 even with low fuel prices slowing down the positive sales development in the past few months,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. “A balance of rational and emotional reasons are going to be the way of the future to continue small car growth in the U.S. MINI’s success in 2008 may be a good indication of this balance.”
Well this is good news overall not only for MINI but for an industry that is facing the worst economic climate in more than half a century.
And I hope the success of MINI encourages more competition in the segment. Gas is cheap now and Americans tend to forget, but even then, the days of the SUV are long gone and people have re-discovered the joys of small car ownership.
Impressive figures for 2008, even with December down compared with earlier in the year, it’s their best December …
<a href="http://www.gbmini.net/minisales.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.gbmini.net/minisales.html</a>
Awaiting moderation?!
30% is a huge increase. That must put MINI in first place in year over year sales gain, I would think.
>Awaiting moderation?!
You included a link – it’s an automated part of our spam fighting process.
Na… We all know it’s because Ian is some sort of troublemaker…
But C4, I fear that your past proclimations of the demise of large vehicles are well meaning but unfounded. Historical precident has shown the that US buying public has a short term memory time constant that is measured in nanoseconds…
Matt