MINI USA sales continue to go strong despite it’s core product being seven years old. In fact that product (the R56) continues to lead the way with an increase of 22% over the same time last year. What about the GP? According to sources there are still some left and (as we predicted) deals can be had. If you’ve been on the fence it’s time to get off and into one while you can.
Official Release: MINI USA reported the best August ever with sales of 6,023 automobiles, an increase of 5.3 percent from the 5,718 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 1.6 percent on volume of 44,329 compared to 43,632 in the first eight months of 2012.
MINI Pre-Owned Vehicles – best month ever
In August, MINI used automobiles (including MINI NEXT certified pre-owned and pre-owned) reported the best month ever with sales of 2,182 automobiles, an increase of 23 percent from the 1,774 sold in August, 2012. January through August, MINI used vehicle sales are up 20.5 percent on volume of 14,480 compared to 12,015 in the same period of 2012.
<p>Assuming the Countryman continues to be the biggest driver in sales</p>
<p>Most months the hardtop hatch is the sales leader, but the Countryman is usually not far behind. It’s effectively nearly doubled their sales volume and done even better for their profitability.</p>
<p>Sounds good to me. Have a Cooper myself and the Fiancee just got her Countryman S 3 months ago. They are quite popular in LA</p>
<p>Cash on the hood?</p>
<p>The strategy of leaking all those hideous F56 photos is paying off in spades as horrified MINI fans snatch up every remaining R56 sitting on a lot. [evil laughter]</p>
<p>Yup, we’ll see how September does. I just pulled the trigger on a 2014 Paceman in Starlight Blue…it was already at the port in NJ, so we’ll be motoring in it in a week or so.</p>
<p>Congrats!</p>
<p>Congrats. Great color. Rare car. Good combo.</p>
<p>Thanks, guys! Pix will be on NAM when I take delivery. Easy to find since there is only one ‘Paceman Talk’ forum subtopic!</p>
<p>I wonder how many GP2s are actually left?</p>
<p>Know one of my local dealers still have theirs.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.miniportland.com/VehicleDetails/new-2013-MINI-John_Cooper_Works_Hardtop--Portland-OR/1965988563" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.miniportland.com/VehicleDetails/new-2013-MINI-John_Cooper_Works_Hardtop–Portland-OR/1965988563</a></p>
<p>As a previous GP owner looked at it briefly and visually just doesn’t hit the same way the first GP did to me. Inside looks decent but could not walk up the car in my garage without feeling sadness for the GP2 being in the place of the GP. Different cars for different people I guess I can say. Then again after picking up our R58 JCW Coupe not anything coming from MINI these days that has peaked my interest (actually fairly indifferent on the Coupe). Have hope that MINI turns out something sharp during the next generation but not holding my breath at this point personally.</p>
<p>Dealership interest/customer relationships seems to play big into how many are sold and which are still sitting on the lots. About 2-3 weeks ago I asked my sales adviser at a dealership in the Boston area about the three GPIIs on the lot. He said that they sold their original allotment and had taken GPs that other dealerships wanted to offload. In total they had I believe 9 GPIIs and had sold 6 of them already and didn’t have much fear they’d sell the last three. It was interesting to find out that some dealerships didn’t think their GPs would sell and others were able to sell more than their allotment.</p>
<p>Maybe MINI “accidentally” leaked ugly pictures of the 2014 MINI to help clear the lots of 2013 MINIs. I can’t think of a better way to move existing product than to show bad your upcoming product looks!</p>
<p>Of course, that strategy would only work in the long-term if your new product was actually WAY better than what was leaked. We can only hope this is true. :)</p>