The Mini Roadster was not a sales success; production ends in 2015
New, higher volume niches are likely to take priority, confirms marketing boss
The Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster are unlikely to be replaced after they are taken out of production later this year.
Although BMW marketing boss Ian Robertson stopped short of confirming the slow-selling models had no future in Mini's slimmed-down line-up, he confirmed that the brand was seeking to develop cars that catered to more potential buyers than either car was sold to. It was confirmed earlier this year that production of the Coupe and Roadster will end at Mini's Oxford plant in 2015, to allow capacity for new models to be built.
"There were a couple of niche areas we explored with the old platform," said Robertson. "With the new platform we are exploring larger niches - the five-door, for instance, opens up a much larger market than perhaps the coupe did. We will substitute some models for those with wider potential offerings. The overall line-up may end up having a few less models in it - but those models will have a higher sales volume potential than what went before."
Asked directly if this meant the Mini Coupe and Mini Roadster wouldn't be replaced, Robertson would only confirm: "There will be higher-volume Minis coming as part of a broader family."
Robertson also confirmed that the more successful Mini Countryman would continue to be built. However, it is less certain that the coupe-style Mini Paceman will be part of the line-up.
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