Just read that June sales for MINI still falling. Surprising. Maybe once more models transition to the F56's platform, this will turn around?

Any theories?

 

Yea looks like it's down 18% from last year and down a little bit from last month. I wouldn't worry too much yet, not like the sales are half what they were.

On a side note how crazy is it that Ford, Chevrolet, and Toyota's daily sales are more than MINI's entire month? I know they are much bigger brands but it blows my mind that Ford sold an average of 7,931 cars every day, while MINI sold 5,376 all month...

 

I have a theory... Look at It. However, comparing ford to mini is a bit ludicrous, mini is a very small market.

 

I know, I'm just still shocked they move almost 8,000 cars a day. And these numbers are only North America!

 

While Mini sales are down I heard a few weeks back, on the news, that sales for the Big 3 was the highest since 2008. I think that even makes the figures for Mini look considerably sadder.

 

Hardtop down 2.5%, but did they have enough F56s in stock?

Regarding the much bigger drops of all the other MINI models, maybe people are waiting for them to have their major makeovers. Could be dealers are winding down inventories to get ready for new versions.

 

MINIs aren't cheap...

 

Exactly, to most people they aren't much car for the money. Not to mention they aren't practical for most either. It's a very limited market, mini also tends to keep supply slightly under demand, so some might not want to go through the trouble of ordering one.

 

Fiat is doing well. $19K for a loaded Abarth versus $30K and higher for the MCS is a big spread. Fiat had over a 100% sales increase versus last year. Competition with the new GTI , Focus ST, Fiesta ST and the new WRX does not help either. I stopped by the Mini dealer a few weeks ago and they had a MCS on the lot for $40K ! I think I will keep my R53 and pick up a 09 and newer Cayman instead.

 

Mini is in a transition period now. Not enough F56 to meet demand and prospective customers for other models, unless discount driven, are holding off for the upcoming update.

 

It's just a combo of new model delays and the turnover, price of car and practicality, people not liking the new model and (some) enthusiasts leaving as a result. MINI's will never sell like Toyotas. They are a niche car. This keeps the resale value up anyway!

 

R56 doesn't have a bad angle. Not sure about F56... People go for good styling.

 

If you make an ugly car, you will get ugly sales.

 

Honestly most people can't even tell the difference or will even notice. The F56 is instantly recognizable as a Mini, it can't be mistaken for anything else.

 

You are 100% right.

Got my F56 in late April. When we see an older MINI hardtop, I have to point out to my wife that it's not the same version as what we're riding in. When neighbors remark about my buying a MINI, I always have to tell them that mine is all different and just started arriving in April.

I think the F56 and the related 4 door F55 will be super sellers.

 

I personally think MINIs new style and direction has caused this. Last year the R56 was suppose to stop production by June. But the demand for the R56 was strong enough for them to keep extending production. That's why the F56 had such a delay in production. That is why the F56 release date kept getting pushed back. Remember nothing good lasts forever!

 

There are a few cars that are instantly recognizable. The VW Beetle, the 911, and the Mini. Even as much as VW changed the Beetle roofline it is still a Beetle. The Mini updates are more subtle and considering the increase in size I think they did a good job maintaining that classic look. Of course the car is going to evolve over time. It is much larger and improved over the original and it will be updated again after the F56, but over all the years it is unmistakably a Mini. And the 5 door retains the same classic styling.... but with two extra doors. I think they will sell well.

 

The very short 2014 F56 model year maybe doesn't help. Did it perhaps push some buyers to another brand? Or others to hold off for the '15s to arrive in August?

 

Also, I think that as far as the general public goes, very few know just how much improved and different the F56 is, and it's unlikely they ever will, at least not for years.

 

This is normal for a transition period like this. If you compare it to when the R56 first launched you'll see the same trend.


You guys can keep calling the F56 ugly if it helps you sleep at night, it doesn't bother us. I guess the brand camaraderie is at an end.

 

like some people have said it's the transition period. happens to every car when the new model comes out. people hear there's a new mini coming out just as they're about to buy, so they hold off a bit to see what it's like instead of buying a car that's instantly outdated. i think this happened with the mustangs just before the 5.0 came out

 

Sales down but orders booming according to this: http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/archive...___booming___/

 

You act like we are trying to offend you, to each their own. If you like it great, but some don't, maybe more dont than do hence low sales. Many people like to wait a couple years while they work out the kinks.

 

+1 To this. These are generally normal sales figures. You're dealing with supply and demand. Demand is high, supply is low. Can't keep up with all the new orders. You have dealers all over wanting to stock up their lots with the New products, plus all the new and old customers wanting to special order their MINI to the specification they want. Plus these cars being sold all over, not just the USA. The plant can only crank out so many new MINIs. Plus there were production delays recently due to paint and leaking issues, so naturally there will be less sold in recent months compared to when they first came out due to these delays.

And Vic, its best not to feed the trolls

 

Amen. When they raised the cars, bulked them up and made them "rally" ready, they turned them into Subarus. The new ones don't have the style of 1st/2nd gen ones. The cute is gone.