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Mini to phase out Clubvan production after two years

Date: 28 May 2014

Production of the Mini Clubvan is being phased out just two years after its release

Mini is to cease production of its Clubvan just two years after its initial release.

Sales of what has been the first light commercial vehicle under the company's BMW ownership, have remained comparatively low since its release. 

According to latest SMMT figures, sales fell 27% for the first four months of this year compared to the same period last year (226 against a total of 164).

Last year, the brand sold a total of 694 Clubvans, which fell below the figures hoped for at the time of its launch.

Speaking to WhatVan on its release, Dave Tuckett, Mini's product planning manager, said he would be 'delighted' if it were to achieve similar sales to Corsavan - which registered 1,500 cars in 2012.

While acknowledging there remained strong competition from the both Ford and Vauxhall, he believed there was a place in the market for Mini's entry into the LCV sector. It had been the company's first foray into the commercial market since the original Morris Mini Van.

The firm has refuted that its car-derived Clubvan has not been a commercial success, reporting high levels of customer satisfaction.

However, a spokesperson was unable to confirm when production would formally cease and whether it would be revived in another form.

He said: "As new cars are coming to the market, others have to make way on our production line.

"Those that have bought the Clubvan have loved it - there has been a lot of affection for them, but they were designed as a niche product as we are not commercial vehicle manufacturers.

"There was a new Clubman on show at the Geneva Motor Show, so that could pave the way for a new Clubvan being created, but no decisions have been made on that yet."



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