MINI USA Sales Down 15.5% for January
Official Press Release: MINI USA reported sales of 2,082 automobiles, down 15.4 percent from the 2,460 cars sold in January 2008.
“Consumers really are keeping their heads inside their shells this month,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. “Showroom traffic is down but our internet vehicle configuration and early dealer website contact is above last year at this time, so we may be seeing early signs of stimulus expectation. Considering this, being15 percent down was not a roaring start to the year but one we’ll take as it still keeps us ahead of overall market momentum.”
<p>Not their worst January, either:
<a href="http://www.gbmini.net/minisales.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.gbmini.net/minisales.html</a>
Jan’07 was (just) lower.</p>
<p>The economy sucks, period. And it seems we are in for a rough ride for the rest of the year. Car sales (new or used) are in the tatters. With so many layoffs going on, the last thing in people’s minds right now is to go out and buy a shiny new car.</p>
<p>Maybe it’s because people have heard about the freezing throttle bodies…?</p>
<p>Autoblog had the other manufacturers numbers, overall MINI’s not doing bad: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/by-the-numbers-january-2009-not-so-happy-new-year-edition/" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/03/by-the-numbers-january-2009-not-so-happy-new-year-edition/</a>
I think the configurator’s seeing more traffic because all of us keep building $50K Cooper Works Clubmans.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-251622" rel="nofollow">rosvick</a>:</p>
<p>Ouch!</p>
<p>Ken,
That’s not true. I keep building 45K R57’s, anyone know what the max number the config can save?</p>
<p>Sorry, I know it was a low blow, but I couldn’t resist….</p>
<p>Hyundai sales were up! 🙂 I bet that certain NJ MINI dealers still won’t dicker on price.</p>
<p>rhawth99 I hope they never do dicker! Because when they do there goes the resale value.</p>
<p>Well, lots of cars on the lots doesn’t help resale either!</p>
<p>Anyway, this was somewhat inevitable with how bad consumer spending is.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Subaru is up in sales too, and they were in Dec. as well. As a few Car Mag. writers have put it when comparing it to other cars in the space: “Nice car, but not in the running with that BMW price tag”.</p>
<p>INDY dealer Dreyer Reinbold sent me an email offering $1k OFF any ’09 in stock.</p>
<p>inevitable.</p>
<p>The newer MINIs are not as nice as the older model – Perhaps people are voting with their pocketbook – And I do realize the market is off.</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-251686" rel="nofollow">Michael</a>: Give your chauvinistic behavior a rest. MINI has had record sales all through 2008.</p>
<p>When the prices of Mazda 3’s, Volvo C30’s, and VW GTI’s are plummeting, it makes sense that some shoppers might think that MINI’s are now relatively expensive and choose to either get another brand or wait until MINI drops prices.</p>
<p>All they need is $4/gallon gas again and they will be flying off the lots.</p>
<p>Hal, Michael has the right of having an opinion. If you don’t agree with him, then you should give it a rest.</p>
<p>I am waiting for the fiat.</p>
<p>Our MINI dealer here in the Pacific Northwest has a lot full of MINIs for the first time. Even premium brands like Volvo and Mercedes had dramatic drops in January. I believe you will see the trend continue for the next several months. I’m hanging on to my S for another year.</p>
<p>And economists still say that we are not at the doorstep of Great Depression 2.0….</p>
<p>When times are tough luxury and premium items still sell but in lower numbers. Remember also that the limited number of dealerships in USA restricts the total market exposure.</p>
<p>What i find funny here in New England sales stink just like everywhere else but the dealers still wont discount cars. ie: no wiggle room when buying. I have been trying to buy a JCW for a few months but there is no way i am paying sticker.</p>
<p>How did BMWNA do?</p>
<p>@<a href="#comment-251832" rel="nofollow">r56mini</a>: Check out bimmerfile.com for all that info.</p>