Last week it was MINI USA announcing record sales. This week BMW Group global is doing this same. 2011 was the best year on record for BMW Group and the three automotive brands, BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce. MINI in particular had a great year as it diversified its product portfolio and brought a new factory online with the Countryman.
Official Release: The MINI brand can also look back on its best year ever. Global sales climbed to a record 285,060 vehicles in 2011 (+21.7%; prev. yr. 234,175). It finished on a strong note in December with 29,467 vehicles sold (+16.2%; prev. yr. 25,359).
The brand’s positive annual result was bolstered by the MINI Countryman, which totalled 89.036 deliveries in its first full year of sales. Further momentum is expected in 2012 with the new additions to the MINI family: the MINI Coupé and the MINI Roadster. The U.S. remains the largest market for MINI, with 57,511 cars sold last year, followed by the U.K. with 50,428).
<p>And people said the Countryman would hurt the brand… The Hatch and the Countryman are proving to be the volume leaders that allow the niche products room to be even considered.</p>
<p>I think the purist said that the Countryman wasn’t aligned with what they thought the brand SHOULD be, but it would probably be like the Chyanne for Porsche. And most 911 folks still think it’s a basstard even though it pays the bills.</p>
<p>But really, things like the Countryman increase the potential market for MINI owners, and that leads to larger sales as there are more potential customers out there who will find a vehicle with a MINI badge that fits their needs.</p>
<p>The Countryman, et al are simply bad excuses in part of BMW to add to the bottom line. It is simply a misguided desire to put a MINI on every driveway just as they have done with BMW thought the years. If I were to need/want a small crossover or SUV, the Countryman would not even register on my radar.</p>
<p>Instead of going into “niches” where the brand clearly doesn’t belong to, MINI should instead concentrate in making the “bread and butter” models (Hatchback) the best premium small cars money can buy. The current R56 is getting old and here I still have hopes for a return of a desirable MINI come the third generation.</p>
<p>And people said the Countryman would hurt the brand… The Hatch and the Countryman are proving to be the volume leaders that allow the niche products room to be even considered.</p>
<p>I think the purist said that the Countryman wasn’t aligned with what they thought the brand SHOULD be, but it would probably be like the Chyanne for Porsche. And most 911 folks still think it’s a basstard even though it pays the bills.</p>
<p>But really, things like the Countryman increase the potential market for MINI owners, and that leads to larger sales as there are more potential customers out there who will find a vehicle with a MINI badge that fits their needs.</p>
<p>Life goes on….</p>
<p>The Countryman, et al are simply bad excuses in part of BMW to add to the bottom line. It is simply a misguided desire to put a MINI on every driveway just as they have done with BMW thought the years. If I were to need/want a small crossover or SUV, the Countryman would not even register on my radar.</p>
<p>Instead of going into “niches” where the brand clearly doesn’t belong to, MINI should instead concentrate in making the “bread and butter” models (Hatchback) the best premium small cars money can buy. The current R56 is getting old and here I still have hopes for a return of a desirable MINI come the third generation.</p>
<p>Let’s hope cars like the Paceman don’t do damage to the image & sales</p>