MINI Sales March 2011. Hopefully the format is OK. Looks like the Countryman may be winning over people who would be considering the Clubman. Here is the link, I couldn't get the formatting to work.

http://newsblaze.com/story/201104011.../topstory.html

 

Wow, 68% growth for MINI YOY. Looks like the Countryman is bringing in alot of new buyers. BMW sales only grew 12% during that time.

 

Does the Countryman signal the slow decline of the Clubman? No idea, just putting it out there as a discussion point?

 

Did the Clubman ever sell that well (never looked at the numbers)? I'm sorry but I was never a fan, the thing is ugly with that gigantic window, and really not enough added space that I would ever consider it, but to each their own.

Countryman already out selling the Convo. and Clubman combined.

 

to me the Clubman looks like a station wagon

 

I think the Clubman is the best looking of the second gen MINI's, the 3 door isn't as pretty as the gen 1, the Clubman is more elegant and with more usable space.

 

And station wagons are way cool!

 

All the better -- clubmans are unique now, hardtops are starting to be quite a commodity... I think it is great that the countryman is having a great start, it shows MINI/BMW were right that there was unfulfilled demand.

 

So was the healthy doubling of February to March Countrymen simply chalked up to more available inventory or was it that big an increase in sales? Count mine among the March movers! :D

Mar = 1729
Feb = 886
Jan = 686

 

What's interesting with these figure is that total MINI YTD sales excluding Countryman compared to last year is actually unimpressive. ( 9,040 vs 8,728 )

Considering attractive lease, financing, and free option deals combined with boosted consumer confidence in improving economic climate, one would think that the sales would be better than that. I am interested in seeing April sales and how the rest of 2011 pens out for MINI. Sales number surely will be better in April as spring car buying season gears up!

 

Hardtops/HBs are the core for the MINIs...

 

Hardtop sales up 35% ???? I think that really impressive !!!!!!

 

Very True. YTD is up 18% as well.

But I was implying to simple total YTD number excluding Countryman - Convertible and Clubman sales are down (little over 20% each)

I am sure the numbers will improve even better for Hardtop and Countryman models, but Clubman is bounded to be a real niche in MINI line up and convertible being.. well convertible maing less than 10% of total MINI sales

 

I originally went in looking for a clubman, but after sitting in / driving the countryman it just seemed like a better choice for a daily driver, so I bought a CMS. I still prefer the look of the clubman and want to get one, as a second car...

 

I was close to ordering a Clubman, but in the end went with the Countryman because a) it had more room for storage (the key reason I didn't go with a standard mini cooper) and b) I don't think the Clubman is going to last in the product line.

I'm a product manager by living, so I tend to look at things through those glasses. And I can't figure out any particular market segment that the Clubman would appeal to that the Countryman or Justa doesn't already fulfill. The Clubman was great for that segment that wanted a Justa but need4ed more space. The CTM offers even more space, plus MINI brand appeal. I'm not surprised to see Clubman sales going down, and think that will continue until MINI decides to get rid of the model entirely. I don't want to own a car on a downhill trend - I want to own the next cool thing, hence the CTM.

 

I will have to differ on the matter. While Countryman will cannibalize Clubman's sales for sure, they are two very different product, and Clubman will still have its appeal to those looking for one, especially when you think of world market, even if it maybe smaller audience now. Their difference is comparable to a station wagon vs. CUV/SUV in concept. While those two segment of vehicles might look similar in terms of size and practicality, they do appeal to very different market. On top of that, Station wagons are especially popular in European market as most of us know already.

I can also see many people who might need a bit more room than the Hardtop, yet does not want to lose on the 'MINIness', true 'go-kart handling', and such. Let's face it. Clubman will triumph Countryman in terms of driving dynamics as the law of physics applies. They also may not like the idea of buying something that a lot of other people buy -Countryman!

As for my personal purchase decision, I had to have the practicality of a 4 door car, thus Countryman made more sense. However, in my heart, I'd rather have lower to the ground, more sportier, and unique Clubman.

Clubman will be a true niche in the MINI line up that truly appeals to more hard core MINI fanatics, and MINI as a brand can (and should) support such rational.

 

Sitting in the dealers showroom right now. Checked out both. I can see me buying a clubman if I really needed more room. No way I'd buy a countryman, sorry, it's just too big. Two totally different cars and I think there's room for both in the lineup.

 

I wanted a Clubman since I first saw one. I love the barn doors and I like the large flat cargo area you get when the back seats are folded down. Something you don't get, folding the rear seats down on a Countryman.

I leave the rear seats down all the time.

Dave

 

That's why I got my Clubman. Plus, I was a little more considerate to my rear passengers, if I ever have any.

And I love the suicide door. I wish there was one on both sides.