#1 US Market Complaint About MINI Countryman

I've been meaning to post this 'ridonculous' finding that surfaced about a month ago on MotoringFile. While Countryman is the largest MINI ever, according to research MINI USA has received, its #1 complaint from US is...... It's too small! Remember Countryman is a MINI that raised eyebrows of many MINI faithfuls when it was first unveiled. But just like all other MINI (R50, R53 and R56) many American consumers think it's not big enough.

MINI bringing Countryman JCW to Geneva (show) in March 2012.

We finally have a confirmation from MINI that Countryman JCW is coming. It was no secret that MINI was preparing one for our consumption, but it was rather a matter of 'When' than 'If'. According to Autoblog and MotoringFile, we can expect more out of JCW model range starting Countryman JCW. For starters, rather than stock Countryman Cooper S suspension set up (under previous JCW model setup), JCW will now have more aggressive suspension setup as standard. That means the car will sit 10 mm lower with stiffer spring rate and large anti-rollbars. It will also feature prince engine with horsepower rating well above 210hp - perhaps 220-225hp range?

However, what it is not is the rumored Prodrive version of Countryman. Prodrive version is suppposed to be a super Countryman that is basically a road version of Countryman WRC racer.

Countryman JCW will arrive on our shores summer/fall of 2012. Price? Expect starting price at around 33k.

[ Source :: Autoblog | MotoringFile ]

MINI Sales Figures November 2011

MINI USA reported sales of 4,750 automobiles in November, up 70.5% from the 2,786 sold in November 2010.  Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 25.4% on volume of 51,800 compared to 41,324 in the first eleven months of 2010.


“The results are exciting because it means customers are not only buying in record numbers they are also ordering customized vehicles,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “This will be the best sales year ever for MINI thanks to our expanding model line-up, and there’s more to come!”