http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/02/m...sales-in-2009/

Any idea how this could affect our already outstanding resale value??

 

What has McDowell been smoking? If he's counting the hundreds of new MINIs sitting on every dealer lot in the country, maybe it WILL be a record year.

 

I think they may do it too. Sure the demand may be down overall, but in the past people were waiting for these cars and that wait probably discouraged some buyers. Now, with worldwide sales down they can transfer some of the remaining production capacity over to better satisfying the US market and also push more marketing dollar at their largest market to act as a hedge against the overall recession.
Small cars are still more popular in the US now than they've been in the past and unlike Europe where there's a lot of good small cars, there's not nearly as many options in the US. Also, MINI's probably betting on $4 a gallon gas this summer, I bet they even have an ad lined up where a MINI Convertible and an Escalade are cruising down a road, the Escalade has to pull off for gas while the MINI keeps on Motoring. They can add a tag along the lines of "Motor more, spend less." to it.

 

You may have a real good point there. I still have my doubts. My local MA kept calling me every couple of months before we finally committed to an order. That would never have happened a year or more ago.

 

I think that is overly optimistic. The financial climate is the worst we have seen since 1932. MINI is probably doing all the right things and they do have an appealing product. But they are not immune to market conditions. Witness the 800 workers laid off from the Oxford plant 2 weeks ago.

 

Probably so. I think MINI does have a unique offering for these times...a really great car, good economy, fairly practical, and heaven know people are going to need some fun in their lives!!! Maybe they'll sell more Coopers than JCWs but if one has to spend money on a car, one might as well get some value out of it!

Bottom line.....we'll see!!!!

 

A barrel of oil was down 10% today and the market below 7,000. SUV and truck sales were the highest of any automobile sales in December as a result of low cost oil. People will not drive like they did before and OPEC knows it. The additional expense on gas is actually minimal as opposed to spending a minimum of $20,000.00 on a Mini. This will always be a second car or a specialist car. Too few dealers, expensive to repair and really not practical. No record sales for 2009. We enjoy them though.

 

But, with the crossover debuting later this year and the new cabrio, it may be possible! More types of cars to sell, and more dealerships! Overall MINI had a great 2008 when compared to the market. One of the only brands with actually gains that year. I think it will have another record year, unless the economy continues on its downward spiral, which it probably will.

 

The guys on crack. February sales figures are out and Mini is down 20% over 2008 for the first two months. Slightly more than 2800 cars sold. Wait until they get to the months where 5000 to 6000 cars a month were sold last year.

I love my 2009 car, but sales are going to be depressed for the foreseeable future.

 

A crossover from what to what? That abomination isn't going to appeal to a traditional MINI audience and isn't big enough to appeal to anyone else.

Ok....I'll take my medicine now.

 

Just my opinion

Jim McDowell is either in serious denial OR knows that what he's saying can't possibly be true and is just "talking up the brand".

Just to review:

• MINI is a niche brand that relies on customers being able to justify paying a premium for that little something extra (be it style, sportiness, quirkiness, britishness with functioning electricals or what have you)
• The U.S. economy is at it's worst point in at least two or three decades, and very likely since the 1930s.
• MINIUSA sales were down 15% in January and down 17% in February
• MINI global sales were down 34% in January
• Dealers have inventory levels previously unseen due to the lack of sales keeping up with production

I don't know how you put all of those observations together and come up with record sales.

 

Well if there is alot of overstock.. and Jim is reading this.. any he doesnt want or can't sell.. call the ruffcat! Ill handle that issue

 

Maybe he knows something that we don't in the form of massive rebates on all those cars sitting on the lot!!

I'm trying to stay positive here!! Someone has too, thats one reason things aren't turning around. Flammage engage:

 

Maybe he is planning on replacing all the turbo problem Minis by lemon law or otherwise and counting the replacements as sales! (I mean that as a joke people).

Mini sales are holding up really very well, much better than other makes. I also know that while inventories are larger than in the past, locally they have been dropping slowly and steadily and in a couple months will have been worked down substantially to reasonable levels.

Record sales - nah, too many headwinds. Minis are definitely popular though. Cannot turn around or drive anywhere without seeing one or two or three now.