Worldwide MINI sales were slightly lower in February than the same month last year, with 23,068 (-1.1%) delivered in the month. Year to date, 43,644 (-1.4%) MINI brand vehicles have been delivered to customers around the world.
Still MINI’s looking ahead to the rest of 2019 when we’ll see a Clubman LCI, updated JCW Countryman and Clubman and of course the all electric Mini Cooper SE. Will it help to turn around a brand that’s at best flat worldwide and down over 12% in the US last month? Time will tell.
<p>My wife and I have had six Minis over the last ten years. When we went to replace her 2015 Hardtop, she felt that the new car would be exactly the same except in a color she liked less. That’s the problem: Mini needs to update ongoing models more frequently, and bring out new models more quickly. I currently drive a 2018 Countryman JCW. Will my next car be another JCW? Not if the only difference is about 78 horsepower and my only color choices are black, white, and various shades of gray–Makes me feel like I’m driving something from a government motor pool.</p>
<p>My wife and I have had six Minis over the last ten years. When we went to replace her 2015 Hardtop, she felt that the new car would be exactly the same except in a color she liked less. That’s the problem: Mini needs to update ongoing models more frequently, and bring out new models more quickly. I currently drive a 2018 Countryman JCW. Will my next car be another JCW? Not if the only difference is about 78 horsepower and my only color choices are black, white, and various shades of gray–Makes me feel like I’m driving something from a government motor pool.</p>
<p>Why would people upgrade when the refresh is right around the corner?</p>