MINI USA Sales Down 20% for June
The demand for large cars over smaller fuel efficient ones continues to have a major impact on MINI sales. It’s both evident in sales being down but the Countryman six years deep into it’s model cycle) and the Clubman having massive months of over 1000 sold each. In total MINI USA reported 4,914 automobiles sold, a decrease of 20.4 percent from the 6,174 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA reported a total of 25,144 automobiles sold, a decrease of 16.9 percent from 30,260 automobiles sold in the first half of 2015.
That new Countryman cannot come soon enough.
<p>Sales of the X5 and X6 are down significantly as well, making the small car theory not trustworthy</p>
<p>Maybe. But they’re also both getting a refresh this year so that could be part of if. And the new competition from MB, Jaguar and Volvo has eaten into both of their sales. Plus they sold an enormous amount on huge incentives from December to this spring. Since then incentives have been much more modest.</p>
<p>I wonder if the Cooper and Cooper S hardtops are actually losing sales because their distinctive, visceral qualities are being gutted in favor of “premium-ness.” (Their fuel economy is no better than that of some bigger, heavier cars.)</p>
<p>The hardtop has already lost its handling edge. Handling was foremost in my mind when I bought my first MINI. But my 2016 hardtop needed aftermarket fixes to approach the handling of my 2007 and 2011 hardtops.</p>
<p>I couldn’t even order factory sport suspension on my 2016! I would have needed to spend thousands more, on a JCW, to get it. To get the snazzy Chili Red on my 2016, I would have needed to spend thousands more, on a JCW exterior. How many more JCW’s did they sell by making it the sporty car? That is insane marketing.</p>
<p>Maybe MINI should leave 1955 Buick handling to the Buick Clubman, and let enthusiasts enjoy the MINI’s traditional thrills. Would that help sales? Or, do we need to add even more models to the line-up, appealing to every possible niche desire of the average motorist?</p>
<p>Interesting how fast the 4-door MC sales fell considering that it is only a model year old. Maybe there will be a time when MINI is not a stand alone brand, but maybe sold at BMW dealerships? I will say MINI pricing is extreme. I mean, my 2015 base MC-S seems like a good value for the $23K I paid, but why is the JCW with options over $40k? That is Camaro SS or well-optioned Mustang GT territory. Now, granted, the MINI offers something those cars can’t, but…</p>