MINI2

Apparently MINI are planning even more off the wall marketing for the MINI Clubman, “The Other MINI”.  MINI marketeers in the UK have come up with The Other View, a website that will show alternative interpretations of day-to-day happenings (or something along those lines anyway).  The first showing is due for tomorrow (28th September) at 4pm BST (UK time).

Apparently screenings will not be regular, and will be shown in “real time”.  So if you’re late to the show, you’ll only catch part of it, or miss it completely.  But of course, at 4pm on a Friday afternoon you’ll be far too busy at work for this kind of shenanigans anyway, right?

To make sure you don’t miss it, there’s even a countdown timer in flash:

The website is here: The Other View

In news that will come as a shock to nobody (or maybe one or two) in the MINI community, BMW today officially confirmed the next model to expand the MINI range will be a Sports Activity Vehicle, to be launched “by 2012″.

The full press release follows:

BMW Group Sets Course for the Future

New strategy focuses on increasing value
New profitability and growth targets approved
Programme to tap 6 billion Euros in efficiency potential by 2012
Shareholders to benefit from company success to a greater extent

Munich. The BMW Group has set course for a successful future with its strategic realignment.

We will consistently align the BMW Group to achieve profitability and increase value over the long term,

said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, on Thursday when he presented the new corporate strategy in Munich. The Group’s strategic direction up to 2020 is clearly defined: The BMW Group is the world’s leading provider of premium products and premium services for individual mobility.

Return on sales target of 8% to 10% in the Automobile segment

The future strategy focuses on ensuring the company’s long-term success and safeguarding its independence. The BMW Group has set ambitious interim targets for the first five years: Automobile retail is supposed to rise to more than 1.8 million vehicles by 2012. During this period, the company plans to increase deliveries in the motorcycle business by 50% to 150,000 units per annum.

Profitability takes priority over mere volume growth.

We will focus the entire organisation on the return on capital,

Reithofer commented. In the Automobile segment, the company plans to achieve a Return on Capital Employed (RoCE) of 26% and a return on sales of between 8% and 10% as of 2012.

The BMW Group’s strategic targets for the time period until 2020 are equally ambitious: The company intends to increase retail in the automobile business to clearly more than two million vehicles.

Programme launched to tap six billion euros in efficiency potential

The BMW Group will launch a comprehensive efficiency programme that will encompass all of the company’s divisions and will apply to both performance and costs. “It is designed to tap approximately six billion euros in efficiency potential by 2012,” Reithofer emphasised. The new programme is based on the principle of EfficientDynamics, a strategy that is successfully applied to the company’s automobiles as well: More output for less input.

The BMW Group plans to tap additional earnings potential by starting new business activities, among other things. In addition to new products and markets, the BMW Group has identified potential along the vehicle lifecycle and the automotive industry’s value chain. Another positive effect on earnings is to arise from the consistent positioning of the vehicles in the premium segment.

In addition, the BMW Group has adopted a range of measures that will help achieve significant progress in terms of cost. Besides putting all cost structures to the test, the company will continue to standardise processes. Further targets include a reduction in cost, capital expenditure and capital employed per vehicle in development, production, sales and administration. Cooperation is supposed to lead to economies of scale for components, modules and drive systems. The BMW Group aims for a rise in productivity of at least 5% a year.

Thanks to the targeted productivity increase, the BMW Group expects to be able to achieve the growth planned for the period until 2012 with roughly the same level of personnel as today.

Natural hedging and purchasing in US dollars to be expanded

In order to strengthen independence from currency fluctuations, the BMW Group will strategically step up natural hedging as well as purchasing, primarily in US dollars. By 2012, production capacity of the US plant in Spartanburg will be increased from 140,000 at present to 240,000 units. Plans for the expansion are already underway.

The BMW Group will also raise the Oxford MINI plant’s capacity to 260,000 units per annum, without making additional investments. In addition, the company plans to take the first step to increasing capacities in China from 30,000 to 44,000 units a year.

Increase in payout ratio – Significantly higher dividend planned for 2007

The Board of Management is convinced that the strategic realignment will be successful over the long term. Therefore, the company plans to let shareholders benefit from the company’s success to a greater extent by substantially increasing the dividend payout ratio. As a first step, the Board of Management will propose a significantly higher dividend for the financial year 2007 to the Supervisory Board and the Annual General Meeting.

The BMW Group will also keep the option of conducting a share buyback. However, in the next twelve months, the company will concentrate on increasing the dividend payout ratio.

The BMW Group intends to do more for employees as well. In order to safeguard pensions, pension obligations in Germany will gradually be funded out in three phases over the next few years.

X1, Gran Turismo, MINI SAV, Rolls-Royce Coupe to be launched by 2012

The BMW Group will continue its product initiative, making use of modular systems for all new models in order to increase synergy effects. A new X1 model will complement the successful X Sports Activity Vehicle lineup, in addition to the BMW Concept X6 presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Furthermore, the company will manufacture a four-door Gran Turismo based on the CS concept study showcased in Shanghai. Another result of the new strategy is that the BMW Group will not build a space-functional concept. Instead, the company plans to introduce a fundamentally altered concept called Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS). This concept will establish an entirely new segment, introducing a unique interpretation of the sedan and offering a wide range of intelligent features.

The next MINI model will be a Sports Activity Vehicle. The Rolls-Royce model portfolio will be expanded as well: A Coupe will be launched as the third variant of the Phantom. An additional Rolls-Royce model is in the pipeline; it will be positioned below the Rolls-Royce Phantom in terms of both price and size. Furthermore, the BMW Group will continue to extend the product portfolios under the BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna Motorcycles brands in the years to come.

Dr. Reithofer: In principle, acquisitions will be kept on the agenda

The BMW Group explored all of the options for future growth during the strategic review, including potential acquisitions or the creation of a fourth brand. However, this would require the new automotive brand to be a perfect fit for the company and its strengths. Moreover, rising unit figures would have to result in a decline in unit costs and thus lead to economies of scale. The new brand would have to at least make the same positive contribution to earnings as the existing automobile business. However, an in-depth analysis found that none of the evaluated automotive brands currently meets these requirements.

Nevertheless, the BMW Group does not generally rule out further acquisitions. Accordingly, the successful acquisition of the tradition-rich Husqvarna brand and its sporty profile have enabled the BMW Group to attract new and younger target groups in the Motorcycles segment.

In principle, we will keep acquisitions on our agenda. We defined clear criteria for potential acquisitions within the scope of our strategic review. This will allow us to act swiftly whenever necessary,

according to Reithofer.

As always, the BMW Group will focus on its inherent strengths and thus on the market for premium vehicles and services, a segment that will continue to grow much faster than the mass market. The company expects the premium segment to increase by about 40 percent between 2005 and 2019, compared to an increase just under 20 percent for the mass segment.

The BMW Group will continue to invest heavily in future technologies with a view to developing entirely new individual mobility solutions, thus guaranteeing the company’s innovation leadership for the next decade as well. With its EfficientDynamics development strategy, the BMW Group has gained a significant edge over competitors, for example in reducing carbon emissions.

I am firmly convinced that this strategy will lead us to continued business success,

Reithofer stated.

–

No details on name, release date and specifications have been released, the codename “Colorado” has been known for some time, and rumours about the location of production have been rife, with Austria being among the leading candidates being touted, making this the first new MINI to be produced outside of the UK.

“Good Clean Fun” – MINI Cooper D wins Autocar magazine’s 2007 Green Grand Prix

MINI has taken a green P1 in the Autocar 2007 Green Grand Prix with its combination of great economy, low carbon dioxide emissions and renowned fun-factor.

Tested against some of the UK’s most environmentally friendly cars, MINI Cooper D triumphed in both absolute fuel consumption (which is directly related to CO2 emissions), and in how close its consumption figures got to the manufacturer’s stated economy figures. So, with MINI, it does what it says on the tin and you can have your cake and eat it.

The only cliché it doesn’t fulfil is that going green means driving dull.

“A highly entertaining econo-car,” and “…an enjoyable way to save.” Autocar concluded that owning a MINI Cooper D is the best way to “save and smile”.

Technologies introduced in August 2007 have now pitched the new MINI Cooper D, and all other MINI derivatives including the new MINI Clubman, firmly into hybrid car-levels of economy and emissions. Brake Energy Regeneration, an instantly responsive Stop-Start system, and an in-car gear shift indicator push the car towards a combined 72 miles per gallon target. Autocar achieved 59 mpg during its ‘real-world’ driving test in the Green Grand Prix and this winning result was “impressive (and) achieved with a car barely run-in.” Also featured was the 123 g/km, 60 mpg BMW 118d, quoted by Autocar as “the best all-rounder.”

Read our full review of the MINI Cooper D

This is “The Other Ranch”.  Where the MINI marketing team appear to have been playing in the sand pit and come up with a rather creative knock-off (if there is such a thing) of the Cadillac Ranch in Texas.   Either that or there was a bit of an accident and they had to come up with something quick?!

Anyway, here’s some photos, you can decide if you think it’s a good effort from MINI marketing.

Big thank you to MINI2 member wimsaab for bringing this fantastic achievement to our attention. MINI in Thailand held MINI Phenomenon 2007 and smashed the previous World Record for most Mini/MINIs in a convoy with an incredible 444 MINI/Minis joining together in celebration of their King.

Read more in the comments, and on the New MINI Society forum.

Another bit of viral marketing from MINI, this time from MINI Malaysia who have come up with the rather strange “MINI Speeding Ticket Preventerizer” campaign. Complete with dedicated website at www.minipreventerizer.com.my and a zany promotional video (below).

This is the sort of thing that you’d never see in the UK, largely due to strict advertising guidelines concerning speed and safe driving.  But it’s all VERY much tongue in cheek.

MINI are up to another clever bit of PR for the MINI Clubman:

Banned MINI Clubman over Frankfurt.

The ‘Messeturm’ and MINI Clubman - giant projections over Frankfurt. This unique project was part of the innovative launch campaign for the IAA. The projection was seen 100 meters above the ground, covering 10 stories of the building, with a height of 40 meters. It gave the city a new, unmistakable face for the IAA motor show.

As a result of high pressure caused by competitors, this projection of the interactive MINI Clubman movie has been banned by the city after three days of playing.

And here’s a video of the “offensive” Clubman promotion.  And the banned MINI Clubman also has a page on MySpace.com.

MINI fans in Sydney strike it lucky in October when the fun-loving brand brings a new attraction to the fast lane in Haymarket.

MINI Strike is a life-size bowling game that shows off the dynamic handling and maneuverability of a MINI in the hands of a professional driver.

Of course MINI knows no medium pace so the bowling will be blown out of all proportion with huge inflatable pins and a wide tarmac lane substituting for the regulation pins and wood deck of the traditional game.

A fleet of MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S hardtops will take the place of a bowling ball.

Sharing the fun is right up MINI‘s alley, so members of the public will be invited in to ride shotgun with professional drivers and guide them through a colour-coded MINI Strike Path with the aim of knocking over as many of the ten giant inflatable pins as possible within tight two minute time span.

The MINI Strike winners will be selected by their ability to successfully clear the course of pins in the shortest possible time.

Everyone who scores a Strike (i.e. clears all pins from the course in the allocated time) will win a MINI Strike prize pack and the fastest Strike time on each of the two days will be the overall winner, and receive a set of MINI Mandarina Duck Luggage and the use of a MINI for a weekend.

A display of MINI Hardtop and Cabrio models will allow guests who have enjoyed the MINI Strike experience to explore MINI fun further. They can even take an on-the-spot test drive.

After the event, all participants will receive a follow-up email including a video clip and photo of their MINI Strike experience.

MINI Strike follows in the wheel tracks of the very successful MINI Chase activity, held in King Street Wharf last year, and reinforces MINISs commitment to providing a larger-than-life, truly interactive brand experience.

The fact that MINI Strike is open to potential customers as well as all fans of the growing MINI brand underlines MINI’s integrative and unconventional approach to life.

While the MINI Strike Lane will be busy with cars toppling inflated pins, at the periphery, a DJ will keep guests entertained with the latest Sydney sounds, and a bar and MINI Strike viewing area will provide plenty of chill-out space in true MINI style.

MINI Strike takes place from 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. on Saturday 13 October and from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. on Sunday 14 October, 2007 at The Ultimo Car Park, corner Quay Street and Ultimo Road, in the heart of bustling Haymarket, close to Central Station.

After last year’s amazing response to MINI Chase, we decided we had to return in 2007 with an even more exciting activity, to show off the all new R56 MINI Cooper and turbocharged MINI Cooper S Hardtops,

said Justin Hocevar, National Manager, MINI.

MINI Strike gives fans the chance to experience a MINI in a novel environment. It also gives us the chance to show off many of MINI’s unique attributes: agile handling, sporty performance and its fun to drive character.

There’s never been anything like this in the heart of Sydney. You could call it Sydney’s lucky strike.

We didn’t go over the one sided suicide door in our own, exclusive review of the MINI Clubman recently too much as it’s a subject that, pretty much, has been done to death ahead of launch on MINI websites such as MINI2.

But the Irish Independent, who had previously accused BMW of “breathtaking arrogance” over the right hand sided rear door, and the Telegraph were among the first to heavily criticize and question the safety of the Club Door in their reports following the international launch of the new MINI Clubman.

In a report by the Irish Independent they managed to produce a statement from the head of road safety at the AA which, in our opinion, rather limply concluded “You will have to be very careful when you use it”.  Well, yes, you would with any door by a road, wouldn’t you?!

Peter Hall, writing in the Telegraph, devotes most of his report on the rather tiresome debate that was had by many about the virtues (or otherwise) of the Clubman’s asymmetric design.  It’s a debate that no side can win, and wont change anything, but as we did mention in our report and comments on return from Madrid, it was a hot topic of conversation among the British media.

The whole debate over the “wrong sided” suicide door overall though has surprised us by it’s lack of coverage.  Maybe most media outlets decided, as we did, it wasn’t going to reach any sort of conclusion, so maybe wasn’t worth debating at all?  Whatever the reason, we’re sure BMW are pleased with the lack of bad PR received so far from their undeniable design gamble.

The new MINI Clubman will be produced in Oxford enabling the BMW Group plant to reach record production levels in 2007.

Following a £200 million investment by BMW Group between 2005 and 2007 in its MINI production triangle in the UK linking its vehicle assembly plant in Oxford, its pressings plant in Swindon and its engine plant in Hams Hall near Birmingham, production capacity is on target to exceed 200,000 vehicles this year and reach 240,000 vehicles in the medium term.

The Rt Hon Stephen Timms, MP was at BMW Group’s Oxford plant for the start of production of the new MINI Clubman, along with guests from UK industry.

As production levels have risen, 200 new jobs have been created at Oxford and 250 at the Hams Hall engine plant in the past 12 months.

Oliver Zipse, managing director of BMW Group Plant Oxford, said: “The new MINI Clubman is another milestone in the MINI success story. Our 6,800 highly committed associates in the MINI production triangle plants in the UK have so far produced more than one million MINIs since it was launched in 2001. With the launch of the MINI Clubman, the third MINI derivative, we are expecting new production and sales records for MINI which is great news for the UK automotive industry.”

Around 4,000 people across the UK have already registered their interest in the MINI Clubman since the first details were released.

The Oxford plant received more than £100 million to expand production capacity from the previous record level of 200,000 vehicles in 2005, Plant Swindon received £60 million for MINI body pressings and sub-assembly technologies and Hams Hall nearly £30 million to build a new, advanced family of petrol engines specially for MINI and previously sourced from Brazil.

The Rt Hon Stephen Timms, MP, Minister of State for Competitiveness, said: “Today’s launch is a shining example of modern British manufacturing. I am sure the new Clubman will be a great hit. The continuing success of MINI and BMW just goes to show that the UK continues to be a world leader in automotive manufacturing. This is down to our highly-skilled, highly flexible workforce and the excellence of our design engineering base.”

Annual production of engines at Hams Hall will rise to over 350,000 engines this year, largely as a result of the additional MINI engines being produced alongside the existing four-cylinder petrol engines supplied for BMW models.

Sixty percent of MINI parts are now being sourced from UK-based suppliers compared to 40% in previous models.

Launched by BMW Group in 2001, more than 1 million MINIs have so far been produced and sold with 75 per cent of production being exported to more than 70 markets worldwide.

MINI dealers have invested close to £40 million in the last two years in expanding or moving premises, enabling them to present the huge choice of models, options and accessories to customers in the showroom. Demand from UK customers continues to grow year by year with 2007 sales up nearly 14 per cent. Residual values remain amongst the best in the industry.