MINI USA Sales up 70.5% for November
MINI USA reported sales of 4,750 automobiles in November, up an astonishing 70.5% from the 2,786 sold in November 2010. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 25.4% on volume of 51,800 compared to 41,324 in the first eleven months of 2010. (Full sales chart after the break)
“The results are exciting because it means customers are not only buying in record numbers they are also ordering customized vehicles,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “This will be the best sales year ever for MINI thanks to our expanding model line-up, and there’s more to come!”
Even with sales up, it’s hard not to notice that sales the core product, the R56, are actually down. In speaking to MINI they very pleased with R56 sales given the market cannibalization from the Countryman and Coupe and for a car that is in its 5th year of production. They attribute this to more people coming into the showrooms to see the Countryman and Coupe and walking out with an R56 hatch.
For a look at the full BMW sales figures, head over to BimmerFile
<p>Why call it a Crossover?</p>
<p>Weird. I was thinking the same thing. Crossover?</p>
<p>Look at the convertible and clubmans dropping off. More people holding off for a roadster or buying Countrymans?</p>
<p>It is understandable that MINI as a brand has increased in sales, due to the additional models, like the Countryman (Crossover), and the Coupe. But if you look at number of sales of the “classics”, like the Hardtop, Convertible, and Clubman, sales are down by a decent margin. The MINI Convertible is down 29.3%? This is even before the Roadster debut… we’ll see what’s in store for both the Convertible, and the Clubman (due to the Countryman’s extra doors and space). </p>
<p>Its a combination of canabalization and conquest sales</p>
<p>The R60 lost some of the traction it had last month where it was almost to the R56 level of production. Still solid sales. Think the Coupe sales are affected by the upcoming release of the Roadster, believe MINI expected this though. </p>
<p>If they really want to increase their sales, they need to expand their dealership network to more remote locations instead of doubling them up like they did in Seattle. Now, Washington state has 2 dealers, both in the Seattle area and none in the easter part of the state. They should have put one in Spokane, Missoula, Mt. or Boise Idaho. That way you could get more customers that are less than 500 miles away from the closest dealer.</p>
<p>Ditto for Oregon: One only; in Portland, albeit a good one so I hear.</p>
<p>Wow! Some pretty impressive numbers. I think they call it “Crossover” because on the global roll-up, they don’t have the rights to “Countryman” in all markets.</p>
<p>Anyone have numbers for Canada?
@mini #goodsalesnumbers</p>