Here are pics of the 1st roadster that I have seen. I was at the dealership today as it came off of the truck.

 

Cool! Did they say if it was a "Launch" car or ordered for a customer? Our dealer here is getting one pretty soon as well, if they haven't already. Our Roadster will be the first one ordered by a customer at our dealer, or so I am told. Probably running a week or two behind the launch car.

 

I was told they (Service department) think it was sold. I didn't check with the sales team to see for sure. We didn't get the traveling roadster at our dealership so this is the first time I got to see one in person.

 

I'd expect each dealership to get a car that they don't sell, at least for a while, just to have one on hand to show people. Tough to sell them sigh-unseen in most cases.

If we hadn't seen the traveling roadster we would not have on on order - we'll order perhaps a color "on spec", but not an entire car.

Don

 

Mini of Montgomery County in Rockville MD got their launch car yesterday, it was for sale as of closing last night. If you need one right now give them a call! I have my chili red JCW on order so I guess I will have to wait a few more weeks as I don't have a production date yet.

 

I'm going to go on record as admitting I don't understand the car biz. Not sure how you sell a car, especial one like the Roadster, to people without being able to show them one. Seems like those launch cars would be way more valuable to prime the pump as opposed to "just a sale". <shrug>

Don

 

Selling a car IS selling a car. Holding inventory IS NOT selling a car. Each car is a LARGE investment that costs the dealer money for each day (floor plan) it sits on the lot. They want to turn them over as fast as possible to make the largest profit. When a car sits on the lot not only does the dealer have to pay floor plan interest but the selling price usually goes down to boot creating a smaller profit over a longer time period.

In just a few weeks there will be enough inventory that there will be Roadsters on the lot.