[tsipple]

Patrick MINI's grand opening should be on March 22, 2002, although the date is not yet dead certain. They'll have five MINIs on hand (mix of Cooper and Cooper S models) for customer test drives, and they should start filling customer orders starting on or about that date.

The word seems to be now that most customers will get cars built according to their specifications, although that's not a promise yet. Also, the Cooper, with its somewhat earlier availability, is gaining at least some popularity. Some customers on the list are switching.