Mini pulls plug on Clubvan production

Date: Wednesday, June 18, 2014   |   Author: James Dallas

Mini has ceased production of its Clubvan light commercial vehicle, just two years after its initial release.

Sales of what has been the first LCV under the company’s BMW ownership have remained comparatively low since its launch. According to the latest SMMT figures, registrations fell 27% in the first four months of this year compared with the same period last year (226 against 164).

In 2013 the manufacturer sold a total of 694 Clubvans, which fell below the figures hoped for at the time of its launch.

It had been the brand’s first foray into the commercial market since the original Morris Mini Van withdrew in the 1980s.

Speaking to What Van? 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 1500 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.

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

“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 a commercial vehicle manufacturer,” said a spokesman.

The spokesman was unable to confirm when production would formally cease and whether the LCV would be revived in another form.

“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,” he said.



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