The Slow Rollout of the Countryman Hybrid is Hurting MINI USA
The MINI Countryman Hybrid is a huge vehicle for MINI and no one can buy them. That’s what we’re hearing from dealers across North America. In our quick survey we’ve heard stories from dealers who have had as much as a dozen Countryman PHEVs on order since May of earlier this year.
The issue of course is that these dealers are dying for a hit vehicle in the US and this hybrid could be that car. Yet MINI dealers can’t get them on lots let along sell them to customers.
So that begs the question – are you waiting for then Countryman PHEV? Are you waiting to test drive one? Or are you just waiting for the full electric MINI?
<p>My dealership has sold two, we have one on a boat right now and have two more coming behind that one.</p>
<p>Out of curiosity, since when are these ordered? I ordered mine in September and the dealership has yet to give me an estimated ETA for delivery.</p>
<p>We received two in September and sold them both quickly. We ordered another in October for inventory and it is on a boat now. The other two are one step away from going into production and I think they were ordered in October as well.</p>
<p>Interesting, back in August I took my R53 in for an oil change (I won a free one in a FB contest) and was surprised to see a brand new Hybrid Countryman being outfitted with Courtesy car graphics. Meanwhile, the dealer did not have one available for sale.</p>
<p>I would really like to test drive one as I am hoping that it could replace our F25 X3 in the next year or so.</p>
<p>We have delivered 3 pre-ordered PHEVs and I have 1 in stock. 5 more on order with production dates in the final month of this year thru the 1st quarter of next year.</p>
<p>U.S. TOP SELLING EV’s & HB’s – OCT 2017 vs YTD</p>
<ol>
<li>Tesla Model S – 1,120 vs 20,750</li>
<li>Chevrolet Bolt – 2,781 vs 17,083</li>
<li>Chevrolet Volt – 1,362 vs 16,710</li>
<li>Toyota Prius — 1,626 vs 16,682</li>
<li>Tesla Model X — 850 vs 16,140</li>
<li>Nissan LEAF —- 213 vs 10,953</li>
<li>Ford Fusion En — 741 vs 08,026</li>
<li>Ford C Max En — 569 vs 07,181</li>
<li>BMW i3 ———- 683 vs 05,321</li>
<li><p>Fiat 500e ———310 vs 04,995</p></li>
<li><p>BMW X5 xD 40e- 323 vs 03,582</p></li>
<li>BMW 330e —— 292 vs 03,286</li>
<li>BMW 530e —— 583 vs 02,181</li>
<li>BMW 740e —— 054 vs 00,519</li>
<li>Tesla Model 3 —-145 vs 00,367</li>
<li>BMW i8 ———- 033 vs 00,364</li>
<li>MINI C’man S E – 074 vs 00,325</li>
</ol>
<p>We’ve experienced the same problems here in Toronto. We received 2 pre-configured models (MINI Canada chose the options, all eligible dealers received one or two of these)… then we got 5 allocations which sold out pretty quick. We have one available production spot for December build.</p>
<p>According to BMW, “October worldwide sales of the MINI Countryman grew by 45.0% (7,503) with more than one in ten of those cars the plug-in hybrid MINI Cooper S E Countryman”.</p>
<p>In October, MINI USA sales of the Countryman amounted to 1,203. So in line with worldwide sales, some 120 would have been sold in the US, rather than the 74 that were actually sold. Better, but not exactly a game changer.</p>
<p>The EV is the fastest growing auto segment worldwide.</p>
<p>U.S. TOTAL ANNUAL EV SALES</p>
<p>2011 — 17,425
2012 — 52,607
2013 — 97,507
2014 – 122,435
2015 – 116,099
2016 – 158,614
2017 – 157,039 YTD</p>
<p>“So that begs the question – are you waiting for then Countryman PHEV? Are you waiting to test drive one? Or are you just waiting for the full electric MINI?”</p>
<p>We’re waiting for the MINI E. Purposely timed our i3 lease to end around that time.</p>
<p>That said, the PHEV Countryman is pretty much a no-brainer, value and ownership cost wise, if you were thinking of spending similar money on a non-hybrid Countryman and don’t mind the auto, so it makes sense that demand surpasses supply.</p>
<p>If demand for the F60 Countryman S E is currently outstripping supply, that’s a miniscule problem for MINI compared to the problems Tesla is having with the Model 3.</p>
<p>Demand for Tesla’s entry-level car is high but the firm is struggling with production and taking big financial hits. Will the Model 3 make or break Tesla?</p>
<p>Autocar has the full story:</p>
<p><a href="https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/analysis-will-model-3-make-or-break-tesla" rel="nofollow ugc">https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/industry/analysis-will-model-3-make-or-break-tesla</a></p>
<p>My Countryman SE arrived just after the UK launch, taking delivery in July. It was 1 of 2 delivered. Though I understand they continue to be like hens teeth for the UK dealers to obtain because of world wide demand. There was a rumour that all production had been brought so orders could not be placed until October and the 2018 model year. I would be interested to know your views on this rumour from across the pond. On the matter of performance it is excellent, though I note 65mpg and 12miles electric are quoted by US sites testing the latest cars for 2018. I am seeing 84mpg and 16 miles electric during the resent U.K. cold spell of 2c as we enter winter. The acid test will be an North American and Canadian winter to see how it truly performs.</p>