Just the Facts: Mini is mulling a major product shakeup and may not replace some of its models as they reach the end of their cycle, Edmunds has learned. The Mini Hardtop and Countryman are the brand's core models, accounting for about 75 percent of sales, and are safe. Some of the other models, though, may be on the bubble, according to Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini USA. NEW YORK — BMW's Mini small-car division likely will shake up its lineup in the next few years after several models reach the end of their product cycle. Specifically, some current models may not be replaced. Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini USA, told Edmunds that the Cooper Hardtop and the Cooper Countryman are the brand's core models, accounting for about 75 percent of sales. Mini sold about 66,200 vehicles last year in the United States, a record year for the brand, with those two models contributing almost 50,000 of that total. As for the rest of the line, McDowell suggested that some models are on the bubble. "When we start to replace models, I think you will see that we won't replace every model exactly," he said during an interview at the 2013 New York Auto Show. Read More - Some Mini Models May Be On Chopping Block | Edmunds.com
Not surprising. I always figured with the release and subsequent popularity of the Countryman that the Clubman's days were numbered. Fine with me. Makes my JCW Clubman that much rarer.
I'm thinking they are scrapping the 56 and re-introducing the 53 due to all the numerous issues.... Talks are currently underway with the Brazilian "Penta" engine plant..... They are done with this carbon issue and explodin timing tensioners and going back to simpler times of explodin belt tensioners.....
OK that just made my Clubman more valuable too. An I'm sorry that people think the large Countryman is a MINI.(small)
The really interesting question to me is whether they keep the four seat cabrio when the R57 is at end of cycle... I bet not. Already a very low volume car, further marginalized by the roadster.
I think it would be sad to see the Clubman go away. It's a great model. Plenty of cargo space inside and still maintains the majority of the really fun handling of the Hardtop.
If there aren't any more then when my current Clubbie goes, then unfortunately so do I. Any other MINI is too small for my needs, and if I needed anything bigger - a la Countryman, Paceman - I'd be looking at another manufacturer. Maybe I could get the Roadster and have something bigger for everything else...but not likely. I doubt that owning more than one vehicle will ever meet needs, my Clubbie does it all - my tow hitch and roof rails/bars/box gives me options. And if I'm ever hauling more than I can fit, I can borrow a buddy's tanker or rent one. So much for MINI being "not normal".
What about the F55? Four doors and a hatch, just a bit longer than the Hardtop but about the same height. My guess is that this will take the place of the place of the Clubman.
I was just reading this months Automobile magazine that the next Clubbie would have 4 doors and be about a foot longer. Then again, that could have been in a previous interview.
Yeah... too many internal competitors in the 'large MINI' segment. Bye bye Clubman (no matter how much fun you are to drive). I hadn't thought about the 4-seat vs Coupe/roadster 'vert question before. Do you really need 2 drop-tops in the line-up?
The last time I had a car with four doors all of my kids were still on my payroll. That was the predecessor to my MINI, a Subaru Outback wagon (which actually had more cargo space than a lot of SUVs, and wouldn't flip over when fully utilized). My Clubbie is perfect for me. Small and nimble enough to get around the Brontosaurus and Stegosaurus SUVs on the road, but big enough to handle a Costco run.