Now there you have a good point. But of course none of us know what those figures could have been and we don't really know by how much the demand exceeded supply. When I purchased my MINI there were no MINIs on the lot. I ordered one as I think most did and I got what I ordered. I don't think anyone who wanted to order a MINI was turned away. But I would imagine the order process turned some people off and had there been MINIs in stock at the dealers, they probably would have sold more. Again just a guess.

See how I can acknowledge a good point no matter who makes it?

 

How's the MINI doing in Japan? I know they had one of the most rabid markets for the classic Mini for many, many years, and were the prime mover for a version with AC and other goodies...

 

I agree that's a better snapshot than any given market -- but still contend that worldwide sales provide the best "global perspective". . . so why are we ignoring those?
Especially since we're not using UK, Germany and US but, rather, trying to make an argument based on US sales only (and for one month)

 

Does anyone have a sales rank list of countries where the MINI is currently sold? I know the car is sold in about 54 countries around the world...

 

^ I do not. But according to this NYtimes article of 2006, MINIs had been sold in 70 countries at that point.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/11/au...s/11minis.html

 

http://www.autospies.com/tag/bmw-min...-sales-report/

An interesting read;
http://www.theage.com.au/news/BUSINE...812982584.html

Mark

 

"BMW Group sales down 22 Percent as expected for the month. MINI brand Sales Up 20 Percent for January. U.S. full year forecast confirmed."
That pretty much says it all: MINI does not need saving. 'nuff said.

 

Yeah... until you compare January 2008 sales to the previous model MINI...

 

Some of us have read these reports, and accept them. Others choose to ignore them.

Mark

 

And then deeper analysis showing that sales of the R56 blow away sales of the R53.

Do we have to see that meaningless graph over and over? Maybe you could finger paint something and show us that for a change.

 

Why don't you drop the personal attacks? Let this thread continue for those who are interested...

 

Personal attacks are a big no-no. I wonder why the "moderators" have not issued infractions or even make their presence felt?

 

That is not a personal attack. It is however a showing of frustration with someone who seems bent on not having an intelligent conversation. There is no input from this.

Slag clearly intends to be obnoxious by posting the same chart over and over while adding nothing to the conversation. He does not respond to questions raised about his input. Just the same thing over and over. Sow me another chart. Show me another stat. When he did, I complimented that effort. But then it went back to the same thing over and over.

I am an R53 owner. As someone who may be interested in owning an R56 I would like to know genuine issues. To tell the truth, if slag states anything about the R56 at this point I wouldn't believe him. His posts of late to me show nothing other than an extreme bias toward irritation rather than information. His credibility is down to zero for me. I come here to seek information, not irritation.

You get what you give.

 

I've posted to this thread as well as Lotsie. Frankly I'm really tired of the same thing being rehashed and people reporting posts for saying that someone launched a personal attack. It is starting to feel like the boy who cried wolf. The utility of this thread is decreasing by the day.

If people want to buy a R53 or R56 it should be for their own reasons...not group think. If not enough R56s are sold BMW will need to adjust their marketing and production plans. If I wanted to buy either this thread would be a data point in that process. For the R55 and R56 I would be much more interested right now in seeing what happens with the cold start issue.

I think its time to lock this and move on. Let's see where future sales numbers fall out.

Mark

 

Mark Ferguson did not lock this thread. I did.

Mark