MINI USA Sales Down 17.2% for February
MINI USA Official Release: MINI USA reported sales of 2,826 automobiles, down 17.2 percent from the 3,415 cars sold in February 2008. The drop from last February was driven mainly by the build out phase of the MINI Convertible. The new model will go on sale in the US at the end of March. Year-to-date, the division reported sales of 4,908 automobiles, a decrease of 16.5 percent, compared to the 5,875 cars reported in the first two months of 2008.
“The economy slowed so much in December and January that MINI felt the pain,” said Jim McDowell, Vice-President of MINI USA. “In February however, sales were up 36 percent compared to January ’09 and we’re now seeing some who had been on the sidelines putting their feet back in the water shopping for cars as evidenced by increasing website traffic and online configurations being sent to dealers.”
<p>While the other car manufacturers face double or even triple the amount of decreases!! Go MINI go!</p>
<p>MINI’s production numbers are a drop in the bucket compared to mainstream manufacturers. MINI will continue to sell cars but will find it even harder to move out models (Like the JCW factory cars) at well over $35K.</p>
<p>For MINI global sales are more relevant than U.S.-only sales. How are global sales tracking?</p>
<p>I’m not as optimistic as Jim McDowell about MINI’s sales this year. I do not think the MINI Convertible will be such a roaring success in 2009. Moreover, while unit sales may hold up to some degree, I doubt buyers are going to be so lavish this year in optioning up their MINIs.</p>
<p>I bet those figures were available to Jim at the time he announced that he was optimistic Mini would make 09 its best year yet. By looking at the numbers, it seems they could have met last years numbers if the convertible was on the floor this month. I’d bet if numbers are not up for March, they certainly will be for April.</p>