Rumors are that BMW is considering merging Mini dealerships w/ existing BMW dealerships. Much has to do w/ lagging sales of MINI compared to BMW.
Consolidation allows for less less overhead and to cut costs. Such a move could allow more people access to the Mini brand if BMW decides to add MINI to more of the BMW outlets..

https://www.bmwblog.com/2018/11/05/b...rs-bmw-stores/

http://thenewswheel.com/bmw-reported...w-dealerships/

 

 

No surprise. When I bought my first MINI, I didn't expect the brand to be a high volumne sales leader. I think the dealers and BMW just overestimated the market growth and overextended. The brand ( like Porsche and BMW ) has never been cheap. It's too bad the 1st and 2nd series weren't built with the same quality of the third gen. But even with a better reputation for quality, the lower gas prices and the rush to buy SUVs in the US would still have affected their sales. The F56s still do very well in the rest of the world ( sales are down slightly during an economic downturn).
Reality, I bought my JCW because I enjoy driving it.

 

 

I remember back in the day buying my first BMW at a Rolls Royce dealership. It was a real cool experience being a long haired jeans clad kid being helped by suit wearing sales people at the RR store. I had an issue with the car that was caused by an after market stereo upgrade and the RR service department just fixed it all up without the slightest hassle for me. Those were indeed the days.

I would be happy with more competition on the MINI sales side, but the reality is there are just so many buyers and they probably wouldn't be adding any capacity near me to help.

 

This would be such a good thing. The MINI dealer nearest me has turned into such a disaster. Basically, I think in order to save money, the entire service department (the part that customers interact with) there was turned over for unknowledgeable poorly-trained clowns that would accept much lower pay. I think my last service advisor there worked at a Foot Locker before moving to MINI Service Dept.

 

Fortunately, My Mini dealer is nearly across the street from my BMW dealer (owned by the same person). A consolidation for me would mean my BMW dealer (who is also a Dinan dealer) could do mods to my car (like they did to my BMW), (the MIni dealer is not a Dinan dealer) without having to split service between two dealerships based on what the service calls for.

I certainly would welcome such a consolidation if only for that benefit.

 

My local MINI dealership is conjoined with its sister BMW dealership (i.e.- same building, different side), so no biggie for them. BMW occupies 3/4 of the building and MINI the other 1/4. Around here most dealerships are owned by 'groups' that own multiple makes/locations, so it isn't too surprising to find MINI/BMW combined.

 

Mini North Scottsdale is in the same auto dealership "mall" as BMW, and a few other high end Euro brands (Ferrari, Lambo..). It started in with the BMWs when I bought my 2007 HB, and then moved around the corner to its own building when I bought the Coupe in 2014.

 

 

My Mini dealer (Sterling Mini in Sterling, VA) just moved back in with the sister BMW dealer across the street. I think it's tail was between it's legs when they moved....

Sharing dealer space or being co-joined with other brands is nothing new. I remember in the 60's and 70's when my dad was buying/driving Audis before anyone knew that it was a car not a grazing animal, they were paired with Porsche!