GBMini still provides some of the most usefull breakdowns:

http://www.gbmini.net/wp/mini_sales/

 

Don't forget the convertibles... That makes it 3 models.

 

The R50/53 hardtops ended production in November 2006. Within the same assembly line, R53 and R56 were being manufactured concurrently for a few weeks at a time.

The R56 was introduced in early November '06 in the European market and saw its US debut, President's day weekend Feb '07.

The R52 convertible will be produced until August-September this year in anticipation to the release of the R57 convertible for 2009.

 

ClubmanS - Looks like you'd know the model history inside-out, with ownership of an '02, '04, '05, and '08. That's quite a MINI collection! Rumors persist of a MINI SUV in the works, so you'd better leave room for one in '09 or '10!

 

Here's how the industry fared. New York Times article: Vehicle Sales Fell by 10% Last Month
Hmmm... even in this slump, F series and Silverado pickups each sold more just in February than all of MINIUSA sells in an entire year.

 

[quote=rkw;2077706]Here's how the industry fared. New York Times article: Vehicle Sales Fell by 10% Last Month

Hmmm... even in this slump, F series and Silverado pickups each sold more just in February than all of MINIUSA sells in an entire year.[/quote]


It's because size matters you know?

 

Hmmm... even in this slump, F series and Silverado pickups each sold more just in February than all of MINIUSA sells in an entire year.[/quote]

It's because MINI buyers are "enthusiasts", who buy them because they are more unique than trucks tend to be. Nothing wrong with trucks though, if you need one.

Mark

 

So we are comparing the 07 and 08 numbers (US market).

Well it makes sense then. January was at the very end of the old model sales run, approximately three months after the last vehicle was produced. Mid-February was the kick-off of the new model, so the sales data for 2007 should be expected to be low. Agreed?

In other words, at least in the US market, we are comparing apples and oranges.

What would really help me understand how well BMW is doing with the Mini is to provide delivery or even production versus sales numbers.

In other words, show how many were delivered to dealerships in comparison to how many were sold.

 

I'm not sure if we could get those numbers. Those posted numbers are corporate numbers, so I would think once shipped to dealers, they are thought of as sold. Not sure about this, anyone know how they"count" sales.

Mark

 

However, this WAS the second largest February for MINI, ever, even taking out the 700 or so Clubman deliveries. So I have to believe that MINI are thrilled with these numbers, and that there isn't a consumer backlash against the R56.

 

is affecting BMWs plans to double overall production across all cars by 2015.... Not off to a great start....

Matt

ps, I think BMW corporate has to be looking at Mini as a silver lining to a very dark cloud. The sales numbers across the brand suck, and the real winners aren't the cars that cost the most. I wonder what revenues look like?

 

I just checked the inventory of MINI of St. Louis. They have these listed;
08s;
11 MC
28 MCS
4 Clubman
4 Clubman S
3 Cabrio
3 Cabrio S
07s;
1 MC
2 MCS

Mark

 

You'd think Rush Limbaugh was a MINI owner with all the spin in here...

 

I would take all dealer inventory listings with a grain of salt. Those lists include incoming vehicles, and often don't exclude recently sold vehicles. My dealer had well over a dozen Clubmans on the inventory list weeks before they had their first Clubman delivered. If you want to know what's really in-stock, call the dealer.

 

While the economy is taking a hit, and it takes somewhat of a leap of faith to take on new debt, I'm encouraged by Mini's business. When I sat down with the sales manager to look through what cars they had and what they were getting in, to see if something on the list fit what I wanted, I was impressed by the large number of pre-sold (ordered) cars coming in, week after week.

That's a pretty good business to be in -- people do their research, put together a list of what they want, then they come in, you shake them down for money, and a few weeks later, deliver the goods. Yes, you do have to work to keep the pipeline filled with orders.

Cheers--

 

I know. The dealer here had 12 Clubmans here a few weeks back, seems they have sold 1/2 of them. Just pointing out that it seems dealers have more rolling stock than in the past. Many reasons for this I'm sure.

Mark

 

It'd be shocking if it were so, but I wonder is the percentage of Cooper sales is now any higher, perhaps slightly more in-line with sales in other markets. The new Cooper is a really great car and addresses some of the items that may have skewed some first gen buyers towards the MCS. Given all the engine, tranny and fuel economy improvements, I wonder if more folks are willing to say no to the typical "give me more horsepower" thing. Somehow...and sadly...I doubt it.

 

I'm with you on that, and I'm a first gen MCS owner. The MC is a great car, and the new gen MC addressed some of the characteristics of the MC that were MCS-only options prior to 07 (gearbox primarily, some NVH improvements). The MC (either gen) really doesn't lack for "scoot", and you can't argue with the MC going significantly further on fuel than the R53.

(and yes, I know technically the R53 is a second, maybe 7th generation Mini, I'm just distinguishing between '02-'06 and '07+ coupes)

 

We are planning to get a Clubman S. The Clubman so the dogs have more room on long trips. The S version so it can tow a teardrop trailer with less effort.

In the twisties, well, those S MINIs have to work to keep up to our lowly MC and MCc

Mark

 

Bear with me here, one of the issues with the first gen was that demand outstripped supply to the point that people out here on the left coast were buying vehicle out of state and having them shipped here. I remember that some of the dealers were running ads here on their shipping rates.

Production for the second gen has been upped, so one of the things that's always interested me is whether or not the first gen was so popular that it sold out and that going with this line of reasoning - what would have happened if they made 8000 more per year?

Or was this just a case of Mini making just the right number of vehicles so that the car appeared to be more popular than it was?

On the same note, we have often discussed how there is R56 inventory on the dealer lots - much more than there was from 2002 to 2006. Is this indicative that the R56 isn't selling to it's full potential? Or is it a case that maybe the market for the Mini was just a bit above the bar they were producing during the first gen years?

 

I think that demand for the brand was one of the reasons to up production numbers from the Oxford plant. Also I think that MINI may have lost some sales to not having rolling stock sitting on lots, not everyone wants to order a car, they want to walk in, and drive away with their new car.

Hopefully this kind of marketing will not flood the market with the little cars we all love, be it 1st gen, or 2nd gen.

Mark

 

Can the Clubman tow? I hadn't checked for any tow rating. What's the tow limit, if you know?

 

Any MINI can tow.
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...d.php?t=114188

Mark

 

I know it's certainly possible to add a hitch, but what is the maufacturer specification for the towing limit for a Clubman? The trailers in the links you provided all look pretty light, probably well under 1,000 lbs, but does anyone know what the tow limit is on a Clubman? By the way, really cute pics, especially the homemade teardrop units!

 

This site says 200 lbs on the hitch, 1400 total trailer weight.

Not from the manufacture(MINI) though.
http://www.minidomore.com/mini_coope...iler_hitch.php

Mark