MINI USA Sales Up 8% for January
Unlike previous months MINI USA didn’t talk much about sale other than to give a figure. And it’s curious because sales were actually up 7.9%. MINI USA is reporting that they sold 2,247 MINIs as compared to 2,082 cars reported last January.
Does this signal a trend in sales? Obviously one month doesn’t make a trend. But there is no question that the industry and the economy are slowly coming out of one of the worst recessions in recent history. With that MINI USA has a pretty strong value proposition for people looking for style, performance and economy (not necessarily in that order).
<p>That is good news for MINI. Once some people get over the thought that small cars should equal inexpensive cars ($10k-$15k) then MINI sales shoud go up even more.</p>
<p>Perhaps discounting up to $1750 (the program started in mid January of not charging for one package) has had something to do with the sales increase. Discounts in the auto industry have usually stimulated sales in the short term. Let’s be realistic, MINI has increased competition and other brands sell for less. Also, maybe MINI should consider future manufacturing in the US instead of adding some manufacturing in Germany as a way of lowering their costs.</p>
<p>Don’t know if I’d buy a MINI made in the USA. Of course, I’m not in the market for a new one so i’m probably not their demographic anyway. But that coupe’….</p>
<p>Great news! It’s about to go up even further when my parents buy one this year.</p>