Why don't dealers know about the R56?

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

A lot of the time I think it's down the dealers. We often see one dealer has a lot of good knowledge, another very little. So often it is available, its just a case of whether or not they use it well.

and those that know about the model are generally those that read this site

[JaridP]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

and those that know about the model are generally those that read this site

Agreed!! Ive been with MINI since it was a twinkle in BMW's eye and I definitely keep an eye out on the boards to get alllll the good info.

[Humourl3ss]

Salesmen want to move the metal that is available. Their focus is not about what might be available for retail 3 or 6 months down the road, as a sale missed today might not come back. It seems shortsighted, sure, but that's the nature of the game.

[smartbomb]

My dealer told me that his boss was going to drive the new cars very soon, and the sales team would drive them a few weeks later.
Will just have to wait for more details......
The waiting is the best part - mmm....?

[Paul]

I think "the bosses" drive is in October, about the 2nd week, and then I guess the rest get to drive it some time after.

We'll have driven the "finished version" by then too for review. Although I'm set on one after just driving the prototypes.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

I think "the bosses" drive is in October, about the 2nd week, and then I guess the rest get to drive it some time after.

Dealer Principals and MINI Managers (you know, the people that sit in offices all day and don't actually talk to customers about the cars) get to go on an all-expenses paid trip to some exotic European location (Rome, I think) to drive the new Cooper & Cooper S in October.

The people that actually talk to customers, and need to know everything about the new car, will get to drive it whenever their dealership registers it's first demonstrators, so probably in November.

When Ford launched the latest Focus nearly two years ago they took pretty much every Sales Executive in Europe to the Nurburgring for a driving experience day.

Have a guess which launch had/will have the most positive effect on dealer sales staff?

[Paul]

You're right about the first one (Rome should be lovely too), but the salespeople are also going on a trip to put the cars through the paces, but not a posh overseas do.

[Scrogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

...but the salespeople are also going on a trip to put the cars through the paces, but not a posh overseas do.

This is the first I've heard of this!

I can fully understand MINI telling you a lot of things (O.K, everything!) before it's dealer network, considering the amount of current owners (and therefore potential buyers) your site is viewed by every day, but now they're even telling you the stuff that doesn't affect them!

[Paul]

MINI UK didn't tell me.

[JimmyCooperS]

I'm going on Friday the 10th. I cant wait. I did see the car in Paris and was really inpressed. My Boss just got back from Rome and she was like a bottle of pop with exitement. Said it was ace and we'll have no problems selling them! Yay.

We've known all about the R56 for almost a year now, but MINI won't allow anything to be said about it. Obviously, more and more details get confirmed as time goes by, but we've known the basics for a while. If we start telling everyone too early, we shoot ourselves in the foot and cant sell any of the current modle. As it happened, its worked perfectly. We have sold out of old shape well befor the new shape, so theres loads of demand, few supply, and that means no discount and maximum profit! Yay!

For buyers though, it means good residuals and great finance packages with MINI SELECT, and the price of the Cherished MINI's hasnt been effected at all because theres such a wait for new car.

Great marketing by a great company if you ask me.

Elliot.

[Scrogg]

That was a Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the MINI is Great Party!

So Elliot, if we cut you in half do you have MINI running all the way through the middle?

And I hope you're not working today?

[JimmyCooperS]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scrogg (original)

That was a Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the MINI is Great Party!

So Elliot, if we cut you in half do you have MINI running all the way through the middle?

And I hope you're not working today?

. Through and through mate! And no. I have a much needed day off. Although I do need my daily intake of MINI. I'm a bit sad like that.

Elliot.