Unimpressed with MINI at London Motor Show

[minicabrio]

As the title suggests really - I visited the London Motor Show yesterday at the Excel centre in Londons Docklands, however was unimpressed by the range of MINIs on display

The MINI stand itself was as excellent as usual - astroturf and fun additions such as 'keep off the grass' signs, and the owners lounge we wonderful - another triumph of the MINI marketing department!

My beef however lies with whoever decides the specification of the show cars

The London Motor show saw the launch of the new MINI John Cooper Works - so what car did they have there promoting its debut? A standard John Cooper Works hatchback painted in Chili red. No Contrast roof, no options whatsover. It even had standard all cloth sports seats. The look was completed by a wonky works badge on the tailgate.

Parked out the rear of the stand was a normal Astro Black (isn't that being discontinued soon?) Cooper S which was laden with accessories! A racing stripe, chrome s-spokes, chequer side vents and more! Inside there was full black punch leather - but then, horror of all horrors...... a standard two spoke steering wheel!

Another car on the stand was an all Mellow Yellow ONE. They had succesfully broken up the yellow by adding a pair of black viper stripes - good job! But they had decided to leave the standard MINI ONE exhaust on show - why on earth did they not put a trim on it?

I could go on, but I'm going to leave it there. To me though, a motorshow is all about manufacturers showing off what they can achieve. Hence the wide range of concept cars and new metal on display!

If only MINI had spent a few moments actually putting some thoughts into the specification of their show cars, it would have made such a huge difference to the overall result.

Come on MINI - buck your ideas up

[humph]

Do you know this is the second thread this morning, on different forums, that say a very similar thing. Is it a case of MINI have had it too good too long with cars that "sell themselves". Have seen a picture of the JCW they have on the stand and it is dull, dull, dull. There is competition there for MINI this year with the 500 still attracting attention, and the Mito on display. Sounds like a must try harder.

Sounds like the same team specced the show cars as specced the original R56 launch cars. Have never seen such odd spec choices as those chosen for launch.

Come on John, who really caught your eye there then? And I mean car manufacturers

[minicabrio]

Loads of manufacturers there really put some effort into their stands!

Most impressed actually with Vauxhall - the new Insignia really is a lovely car, and from inside beats the Mondeo hands down. Nice line up too of the Astra Nurburgring edition, V8 VXR thingy, and VXR Corsa, all painted white - looked the mutts nuts

[Ant FR]

I find it a real **** take that BMW , Audi, VW, Skoda, Porsche, Mitsubishi all decide to poo poo the BNritish motorshow. However they go to the car hating capital of the world Geneva.

A real poor show. Those manufacturers should hang their heads in shame. The Uk buys more hot models than anywhere else in Europe, yet they can't even be bothered to have a stand. If it did'nt make me look like a sad tosspot then i would be tempted to write an e-mail to the marketing deps of each firm and let them know

[W44NE G]

I think we should all hijack the show with our nice MINIs and really show people

I'm going on Saturday.

BMW showed at Goodwood a couple of weeks ago and let me in to hospitality but had no MINIs at all there. I was disappointed as that would have been a better place to show off the new JCW for the first time.

[3rdpillar]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

As the title suggests really - I visited the London Motor Show yesterday at the Excel centre in Londons Docklands, however was unimpressed by the range of MINIs on display
..............................................

If only MINI had spent a few moments actually putting some thoughts into the specification of their show cars, it would have made such a huge difference to the overall result.

Come on MINI - buck your ideas up

Excellent post. It is not just me that notices tardiness then!

[paul04]

I off to the motor show next week and was looking forward to what they have put in the JCW. I was hoping for loads of JCW extras but guest not. A bit disappointed it and I have been yet

[minicabrio]

No extras on it at all - there was a wall board hidden out the back of the stand (seriously hidden in a corner) with the JCW bits on it - steering wheel, gear knob etc - but there we no cars with the bits on!

[paul04]

Quote: Originally Posted by minicabrio (original)

No extras on it at all - there was a wall board hidden out the back of the stand (seriously hidden in a corner) with the JCW bits on it - steering wheel, gear knob etc - but there we no cars with the bits on!

[Rakey]

Thanks Jon, you've saved me having to make a wasted trip, as I'd want to see a full Works car, you know with every bit of carbon you can get, the seats, all the things you can't see in the Dealership because they don't over spec the demonstrators.

[minicabrio]

Exactly - but that's the whole point of a motorshow. It gives the manufacturer a chance to show off and demonstrate what they can achieve!

Unfortunately MINI just don't seem to care

[Rakey]

Either don't care, or didn't think about it properly, too busy resting on their laurels maybe

[supa-dupa-cooper]

I was disappointed with them to

Was really expecting to see a JCW car the same as in the advertising, not a bog standard one!!!! Didnt really get a proper answer when I asked 2 people why it was so standard, just got a 'well we wanted to just show people what the car is about'

The nicest MINI there was the White Silver Sidewalk!

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by supa-dupa-cooper (original)

The nicest MINI there was the White Silver Sidewalk!

That you're no longer able to order to your own spec - so effectively discontinued

[Jordan210]

best thing i was told was. There are no engine bay badges on the JCW car as from research we have done shows people don't look at there engine bay meaning we dint have to put on badges, yet they still put a mini logo on them, and cars such as M's have BMW badges and M badges. As well as people buying the car know what it is so dont worry about the badge