LET MINI COOPER SHOW YOU HOW TO GET THE LAST PARKING SPOT ON THE BLOCK AND AVOID GRIDLOCK THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

If everyone in the New York area drove a MINI Cooper, imagine how stress-free the holidays could be! With parking spaces in short supply, and holiday shoppers attempting to parallel park large cars in spaces made for a MINI, the holidays can be a time of short fuses and hot tempers.

Add to the estimated 3.2 million cars that pile into New York City on any given weekday, an influx of holiday shoppers and site-seers in town to view the famous store windows and the Tree, you’ve got a city that comes to a virtual stand still.

According to Michael McHale, Communications Manager for MINI USA, parallel parking is a forgotten “art” that clogs up city arteries and gets people hot under the collar.
“There are very definite ways of negotiating a parking space that are essential to city driving,” says McHale. “Of course, driving a MINI is a great way of pulling into any parking space, but short of that, any driver can be an ace parker.” McHale suggests the following simple steps:

* Once you’ve found a space that’s at least six feet longer than your car, apply your brakes and your directional so that the car behind you is aware of your intention to park

* Pull up so that your rear wheels are parallel with the rear bumper of the car in front of the parking space — keeping about 3 feet between the two cars.

* Put your car into reverse and turn the steering wheel all the way to the right.

* Back up slowly so that your car is at a 45-degree angle from the car in front of you and stop. (Your car will be sticking out into the street at this point, so be aware of street traffic.)

* Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left while rolling backwards very slightly.

* Continue slowly backing up into the space until you are parallel with the curb, and about 12 inches from it.

* If you start off short or are too far from the curb, it’s often smarter to start the park all over again. Practice makes perfect with parallel parking.

McHale also suggests putting a MINI on your list to Santa. With ample seating for four, rear seats that fold down to allow for all your holiday shopping, maximized grip and maneuverability and an economical 142.8-inch length, the MINI can park where most cars fear to go.

Here are some additional tips for keeping your Holiday driving happy:

* Plan your route before you leave.
* Plan alternate routes.
* Listen to traffic reports and go online.
* Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going.

* Keep a charged cell phone and hands free ear piece in your car.
* Go to the restroom before you leave.
* Be familiar with traffic patterns and traffic signage.
* Let the other person have the right of way - even if you’re in the right.
* Practice parallel parking before you need to attempt it on a busy city street.
* Remember where you park - write it down.
* Be sure to have your most up-to-date license, insurance card and registration with you at all times.

MINI In The United States

The MINI made its reentry into the U.S. market in March 2002 with the all-new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. The smallest car on American roads had a 2003 starting price of $16,975, and took the automotive world by storm with over 30,000 sold in the U.S. alone in its inaugural year.

MINI’s origins began in the late 1950s as a new type of car designed to combat the Suez fuel crisis. The Classic Mini continues to be Britain’s best-selling car ever. With over
5 million sold in the UK alone, the car remains a cultural icon around the world, driven by everyone from The Beatles to British Royalty. The Classic version was sold in the U.S from 1960-1967 and still enjoys a cult following to this day.

MINI USA operates as an autonomous division of BMW of North America, LLC. MINI branded products are sold in the US via a select network of MINI dealers. Each MINI dealer has a sales environment and staffing exclusively dedicated to the franchise.
MINI is on the web at www.miniusa.com and the call center number is 1-866-ASKMINI.