MINI USA Sales up 37% for May & 46% for 2011
MINI USA reported sales of 5,801 cars in May – an increase of 37%. For the year things look even better with sales up an incredible 46.3%. Their staggering numbers and exactly what the brand needed with it’s traditional core product (the hatch) about to enter its 5th year of production
However With the introduction of the new crossover it’s quickly becoming clear that there are two core products are for the brand in the US; the R56 hatch and the R60 Countryman. In fact the R60 is selling at well over double the rate of the Clubman and, for May, was only 1000 units behind the standard hatch.
Full sales figures after the break.
Whether you approve of the R60 or not, it’s hard to argue against it’s success in adding to MINI’s bottom line and subsequently the brand’s future growth.
<p>Maybe with all that extra profit they can plow some money into IT and get Connected and Nav working. Â What they sold to early adopters(I know, I know, that’s what you get on first gen) and what they delivered are quite a bit different.</p>
<p>Maybe with all that extra profit they can plow some money into IT and get Connected and Nav working. Â What they sold to early adopters(I know, I know, that’s what you get on first gen) and what they delivered are quite a bit different.</p>
<p>Convertible sales tanked big time. Â Could this be due to customers holding out for the roadster?</p>
<p>BTW, I like my spread sheets with column headers. Â I’ve figured it out (May ’11, May ’10, % | YTD May ’11, YTD May ’10, %) but… just sayin’.</p>
<p>Â Could be due to the weather – Convertible sales drop in cold or rainy weather.</p>
<p>Â Could be due to the weather – Convertible sales drop in cold or rainy weather.</p>
<blockquote>In fact the R60 is selling at well over double the rate of the Clubman</blockquote>
<p>I’ve said it in the past and I’ll say it again… the creation of the Countryman means there won’t be a 3rd Gen Clubman. Mark my words!</p>
<p>Someone should tell MINI that!</p>
<p>I’m excited to see the next generation Clubman based on the R60 platform, but I still find it difficult to believe that they are going to sell it side by side with a Paceman. Â I do think they will be visually distinct…with perhaps the Clubman using some of the F56 design cues (e.g., those cool new front lights from the Rocketman), and the Paceman using some of the Countryman elements (up front, at least). The Paceman concept seems like a “cleaner” design to me than the current Clubman…but that impression may change when they add the cut lines for the two rear doors, and other elements necessary for a production vehicle. Â But I digress…this is a thread about sales.</p>
<p>Very sad if the Clubman is discontinued because of that hideous Countryman.</p>
<p>I expect when the initial surge ends and the novelty wears off, Countryman sales will drop. The Clubman sold well for the first couple of years. I just hope that the next generation Clubman doesn’t sit as high as the Countryman and really doesn’t grow in size as it is perfectly sized for my wife and I. I do wish that the Clubman would drop the stupid double doors and replace with a hatch.</p>
<p>What’s wrong with the Countryman? Â I live in the city but have a house on an unpaved road in the country. Â Find me another AWD vehicle that gets over 30mpg and fits into a parking space on city streets at under 165 inches long!!!</p>
<p>Oh – and what is wrong with the Nav/Connect? Â I can’t get a straight answer as to exactly what the connect is supposed to do. Â Any insight would be most appreciated before I pay the extra $1700 for it.</p>
<p>I knew it was going to eat into Clubman sales. that was a given. how are these numbers compared to last year same time? is it also eating into the hatch sales, etc.?</p>
<p>the CLUBMAN should not go away! The clubman is still the only way to stay close to the dynamics and handling of the hatch with a bit more space. The Countryman went too far (in a good way, for new people), but I tell everybody; if you are looking for the true MINI handling and driving experience, try first to find out if the clubman fits you. ONLY IF IT DOES NOT, go Countryman. Countryman is-to Clubman in a way that is further away than Clubman is-to Hatch.</p>
<p>I test drove a Countryman S with Sport Suspension…….smooth and taught handling with the super go-kart ride :) </p>
<p>I suggest you give it a go before you write one off for a Clubman…..my 2 pence.</p>
<p>I’m a Cooper S Clubman owner and I got to drive both mine and a new Countryman S on a local track at a recent Mini event. Don’t know if the Countryman I was driving had sports suspension, but I can tell you that they are very different cars. While I don’t dislike the Countryman, I’d say its no substitution for my Clubman.</p>