MINI2

Latest award for MINI confirms its unique appeal as MINI John Cooper Works revs up for its UK début at ExCeL

With over 1.1 million cars sold worldwide since launch in 2001, the best residual values in the car market*, record sales**, a dedicated dealer network and now in its eighth year of production, MINI has been presented with Motor Trader’s Car Franchise of the Year award. The judging panel of Ray Hutton (CoTY/Sunday Times), Louise Wallis (RMIF NFDA), Toby Procter (Trend Tracker), Ken Rogers (Fleet World), Mike Moran (Automotive Partnership) and Richard Bost (consultant) made MINI its most sought after car brand for UK dealers at the annual Motor Trader awards night, Wednesday 16 July.

The Car Franchise of the Year Award is presented to the car manufacturer who has, according to the panel, “excelled in terms of producing new models, successfully marketing them and building close relationships with its dealer network. These factors make the brand a must-have franchise for dealers.”

The win acknowledges not only desirability of the franchise amongst dealers, but also sales success and product quality – key indicators of customer desirability.

Andy Hearn, General Manager at MINI UK said: “This is an important award for us as it highlights the great relationship between MINI and our dealers in the UK at a time when we’re strengthening the network. Our MINI Dealers have invested massively in their franchises, and that commitment is paying dividends both for their business and the customers’ experience.”

Curtis Hutchinson, Editor of Motor Trader stated: “The brand’s extraordinary success since it launched in 2001 has seen it become a valued and admired franchise throughout the motor trade. The judges also praised the success of its popular ‘tlc’ extended warranty package and the success of its used car business, while also recognising its excellent latest generation models.”

MINI’s great investment

By the end of 2008, the MINI dealer network will have invested a total of
£57.1 million over a two-year period, with a further investment of £12.4 million due in 2009. This significant investment from the network underlines the commitment MINI has shown to deliver a product range which will stand the test of time.

By the end of September 2008, the MINI UK Dealer network will span 148 dedicated showroom sites. Customers visiting the showrooms can expect to see dedicated personnel and services which go to give MINI customers a unique experience.

June 2008 saw record sales through the MINI dealer network – totalling 5,290 registrations: an increase of 23 percent on June 2007 (and going against the grain compared to total industry volume which is back six per cent year on year). MINI Cooper D Clubman has wooed drivers with its award winning MINIMALISM technology benefits, which include its low emissions (109g/km CO2) and great fuel economy (combined consumption of 68.9 mpg).

Having recently been awarded a number of accolades (including What Car? ‘Green Award’, Parkers ‘Slowest Depreciating Car’, Fleet News ‘Best Small Car’ and British Insurance Car Security Awards in the City/Supermini category to name but a few), new MINI drivers can be reassured that they have made the right choice given growing concerns regarding the environment and affordability.

The new 211 hp MINI John Cooper Works

A new model arrives at the award winning dealerships next week – the MINI John Cooper Works goes on sale on 22 July. As MINI’s first unlimited production John Cooper Works model, it pushes out 211 hp, 280 Nm of torque (with Overboost), 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds* and has a dynamic aerodynamic body kit.

The John Cooper Works brand name has been synonymous with MINI for over
40 years, and now that BMW Group owns the name, it will go on from strength to strength. Priced at £20,995, the MINI John Cooper Works will be first to launch, followed by the Clubman in early 2009 (price tbc).

Initial press feedback has been incredibly positive:

Autocar referred to it as: “The hottest version of the new age MINI so far.”
WhatCar? Claim: “As hot hatches go, it’s hotter than a blacksmith’s armpit.”
The Daily Telegraph’s Honest John declares “…the 211PS John Cooper Works is a little monster.” He continues: “The upside is they have managed to do all this, yet still certificate the car at 165g/km CO2 and 40.9 mpg combined. So the fun doesn’t hit you in the pocket in running costs.”

MINI goes back to university

The MINI John Cooper Works model makes its UK début at the British International Motor Show on 22 July. Set on a university-themed stand, the first MINI John Cooper Works customer will be handed the keys to their 211 hp car. Other areas of the MINIVERSITY stand include the Institute of MINIMALISM – an area dedicated to MINI’s equivalent of Efficient Dynamics; The Union – a meeting place for MINI Owners; the Faculty of Engineering – an area for personalisation and discovery of MINI’s production facilities in the UK.

Since production began in 2001 Plant Oxford has seen over one million MINIs leave the plant destined for customers abroad. The one millionth MINI for export has now left Plant Oxford.

More than 80 per cent of MINI production is currently exported to almost 80 countries worldwide with the largest export market being the USA. The most recent sales figures have been the best in MINI USA’s history. In the first half of the year, MINI USA has reported sales of 26,400 cars, an increase of 33.6 per cent. The increase in MINI sales is indicative of the structural shift taking place in the USA, with MINI dealers reporting many customers moving out of their large cars like SUV’s and trucks into MINIs.

In the first six months of 2008, MINI recorded a worldwide increase in sales of 17.9 per cent compared to last year delivering 126,810 vehicles. The introduction of the MINI Clubman has contributed greatly to this success – every fifth MINI sold is a Clubman Oliver Zipse, Managing Director MINI Plant Oxford said: “Export is a key factor for the success and stability of our MINI Plant in Oxford. Since MINI was launched we have seen a significant increase in export from less than 60 per cent in 2001 to over 80 per cent this year. The high customer demand in almost 80 countries around the world, from Chile to China, has driven MINI’s success over the last seven years.”

Plant Oxford employs 4,700 associates who work a three shift pattern producing up to 800 MINIs a day, seven days a week. An additional 2,100 associates work at the MINI pressing plant in Swindon and engine plant in Hams Hall near Birmingham; the three plants together form the MINI production triangle in the UK.

In addition, MINI UK will open the doors to a brand new model at MINIVERSITY, the Oxford-based car manufacturer’s home at the 2008 British International Motor Show.

Between 22 July and 03 August, the UK media and British public will have the opportunity to view first hand some of the smartest things to come out of Oxford in recent years. MINI owners will have access to ‘The Union’, an area to meet others in the MINI community, while future customers can take a walk through the ‘Faculty of Engineering’ and discover the millions of ways to personalise a new MINI. The stand will also incorporate a Quadrangle-style area on which the entire MINI range will be displayed.

The most recent ‘graduate’ from MINI Plant Oxford, the brand new MINI John Cooper Works will be shown to the public for the first time on British soil.

BMW Group prepares for technical field trials with electric vehicles. As part of the Group’s Number ONE strategy, the company will begin extensive tests on electric drives in MINI vehicles.

Over the next months, the BMW Group will be carrying out various series of tests on electrically powered vehicles to determine the alternative drive of the future. Several hundred MINI brand vehicles are being prepared for this. The cars, built in the Oxford plant, will be modified accordingly in Munich and fitted out for trials.

This step will allow the BMW Group to gain an initial knowledge of how mobility can be achieved efficiently using purely electrically powered vehicles. Our task here is to combine the ultimate driving experience with an efficient electrified drive with practically no emissions

underlined Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

The tests on alternative drives in a MINI body will be used over the next 12-18 months to refine the technology. Details about the drive concept and its marketing will be published towards the end of the year.

Workers have returned to building the MINI on Monday, after fuel protests in Spain led to a parts shortage, resulting in the closure of BMW Group Plant Oxford over the weekend.

The BBC reports that the workers may still be paid for the weekend’s lost work hours, but may effectively “owe BMW time” to make up for the working time lost due to the resultant shortage in brake components which BMW have said was “beyond our control”.

Good news if you’re waiting for a fresh new MINI to be built for you, even if you’re in the UK and may not be able to afford any fuel for it, if there’s any left by the time your new MINI is delivered that is!

This summer MINI UK will open the doors to a brand new model at MINIVERSITY, the Oxford-based car manufacturer’s home at the 2008 British International Motor Show.

Between 22 July and 03 August, the UK media and British public will have the opportunity to view first hand some of the smartest things to come out of Oxford in recent years. MINI owners will have access to ‘The Union’, an area to meet others in the MINI community, while future customers can take a walk through the ‘Faculty of Engineering’ and discover the millions of ways to personalise a new MINI. The stand will also incorporate a Quadrangle-style area on which the entire MINI range will be displayed.

The most recent ‘graduate’ from MINI Plant Oxford is sure to draw crowds to the stand. The brand new MINI John Cooper Works will be shown to the public for the first time on British soil.

The fastest production MINI ever will be joined by the greenest MINI, in its Cooper D guise. The MINI Cooper D’s ultra-low CO2 figure of 104 g/km, fuel economy of 72.4mpg and rock solid residual values make it perhaps one of the most rational choices for buyers in the new car market.

British show visitors faced with the threat of CO2 emissions-related road use taxation, spiralling fuel costs and the often catastrophic losses made in selling-on nearly new cars should make a bee-line for the Institute of MINIMALISM, where technologies fitted to the Cooper D and other MINI cars are explained.

MINIMALISM technologies, which are the same as those used in BMW’s EfficientDynamics systems, include Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop and Switch Point Display.

Andy Hearn, General Manager for MINI UK, said:

MINI has a habit of turning heads and it will be the same story at this year’s show. MINIversity is a great concept as our stand will not only present MINI’s personality, but also educate visitors on MINI’s green credentials. MINI will show it’s entirely possible to own a car that’s clean, green and great to drive.

It’s also a great way to remind people that British manufacturing is alive and well at MINI Plant Oxford.

Auction in aid of HIV/AIDS projects at www.ebay.at from 5 to 15 June 2008.

Munich/Vienna. Videos whirred and cameras clicked on Saturday, 17 May, when Joseph Corre drove the Life Ball MINI 2008 over the red carpet outside Vienna’s City Hall in front of 40,000 spectators. Escorted by four models in “British policemen’s uniforms”, and with Sophie Ellis Bextor in the passenger seat, the arrival of the Life Ball MINI 2008 marked the start of the fantastic opening show.

The Life Ball MINI is traditionally created by the fashion designer responsible for the fashion show in the opening event - and in 2008, this was the British lingerie label Agent Provocateur. This year, the new MINI Cooper Clubman was selected as the basis for this exclusive, unique design. “The new shape is so reminiscent of the old English Mini police van that we were immediately inspired to create an Agent Provocateur styled interior that you really would want to get banged up in! A classic yet suped up exterior in Agent Provocateur signature pink and black colours complete with pink flashing light and inside…..the most seductive prison cell with hand to wall cuffs and blacked out windows and iron bars”, says Agent Provocateur founder Joseph Corre.

The unique - and escape-proof - Life Ball MINI will once again be auctioned on eBay, as happens each year. It all starts on Thursday, 5 June - and then MINI and Agent Provocateur fans throughout the world have the opportunity for ten days to buy this unique car and do something for charity too. The total proceeds from the auction will be donated, as always, to Life Ball and to projects aimed at combating HIV/AIDS. So far, the auction of the “Life Ball MINIs” - transformed by such famous fashion icons as Diesel, Missoni, Ferré and Versace - has raised a total of € 260,000.-.

Worldwide measures to combat HIV/AIDS are one of the main elements of the corporate and social policy pursued by the BMW Group. The company’s involvement in South Africa is particularly wide-ranging, covering a comprehensive workplace programme for employees and their families, plus a number of different projects in the local communities and further afield.

But the automobile manufacturer is also committed to fighting this pandemic in other affected countries, such as Thailand or China, for example. The company’s membership of the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS (GBC) underlines its long-term commitment at its individual locations.

“By supporting Vienna’s Life Ball, the MINI brand is going its own way and making its own very individual contribution to the fight against this auto-immune disease”, says Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, Head of Brand Communication MINI, commenting on the brand’s involvement here. “The Life Ball brings the pandemic back into the public’s awareness each year in a very emotional way, and the auction of each uniquely designed MINI produces a major financial contribution to projects aimed at fighting HIV/AIDS.”

Half of the proceeds will be donated to national projects in Austria. The other half will be used to benefit international projects, with allocation of funds regulated by the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR).

Magical Mystery Mini Tour 2008 San Francisco
http://www.magicalmysteryminitour.com

The Magical Mystery Mini Tour is a Mini celebration with the theme of the 1960’s-1970’s “hippie”, “summer of love” era of San Francisco. During that era there was “free love” & “free spirits”, psychedelic printing, sandals, flowers in your hair, peace symbols, and a large amount of music especially from England. The Beatles were one of those bands with a big influence on San Francisco music culture. As this is a Mini event, we added Mini to the name of one of the Beatles songs, “The Magical Mystery Tour” and thus the name.

The Magical Mystery Mini Tour is being held on Treasure Island, smack in the middle of the San Francisco bay with 360-degree views of the San Francisco skyline, Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Angel Island, and the east bay. This is one of the most premier pieces of real estate on the planet, with million dollar views. We have rented the Great Lawn and adjacent parking lot. The lawn is approximately 126,000 square feet. We will be providing a main event tent (130′ X 100′ = 13,000 sq ft.), fully lighted, with tables, chairs for eating and just gathering. We will have some ‘infamous” racing Minis on display. The main event tent will have propane heaters, it will be equipped with clear panel walls so as not to take away from the spectacular views, we are providing 24 hour security, we are bringing in Port-A-Lets, washing stations, garbage cans, dumpsters, diesel generators, tenting for the caterer for the BBQ dinner, stage, lighting, and sound system for the band, live music, vendor tenting with tables, chairs, electricity.

We have set up group packages with the San Francisco Giants for Friday night’s game at AT&T Park. On Saturday we will have a Golden Gate Bridge, Marin Headlands, Mt. Tam, Stinson Beach Run and we have set up special winery tours in the Sonoma & Napa Valleys. On Saturday night we will hold a catered BBQ dinner and live concert on the Great Lawn. On Sunday morning we will have a sunrise bonfire breakfast on Ocean Beach and the Steve McQueen memorial run through the streets of San Francisco, followed by a Santa Cruz mountain run Sunday afternoon.

We will have games and event for the kids.

All of this information will be available in the program with route maps, things to do, local facts, etc., that will be provided at registration. .

Many people will be coming from all over the country. We also people coming from Italy, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland, and Canada.

This event has been organized, planned, funded, and worked, by members of our non-profit MINI club. There have already been hundreds of hours of volunteer time and effort invested into this event. Any extra proceeds that go beyond the covering costs will go to charities.

We are doing this to have, what we hope, is a wonderful, spectacular, and memorable event in San Francisco for the Mini community. Hope to see you in September.

BMW group have just released their latest sales stats, and they look good both for BMW (in particular the 1 and 5 series), but also of note are that sales of the MINI also continued to be very positive.

In the month just past, 21,463 MINIs were delivered to customers, 17.5% more than in April 2007 (18,264). For the year to April, 79,680 MINI were sold, which represents an increase of 22.1% (prev.yr.: 65,244).

Not bad going considering the economic slow down we keep hearing about, however the MINI brand may be gaining sales as people cut back from more expensive, and more thirsty brands to the smaller end of the market.

For the fourth year running BMW has won overall top prize at the 2008 International Engine of the Year Awards.

A panel of judges from around the globe awarded the top honour to the 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine which powers the 1 Series, 3 Series and X6 in the 135i, 335i and X6 xDrive35i models respectively.

The 1.6 litre BMW/PSA unit found in the MINI scooped the top prize in the 1.4 to 1.8 litre engine capacity. Between them, BMW and MINI drove off with five category wins to dominate the 2008 awards.

Final results for overall IEotY 2008:

Engine - Points

BMW 3.0-litre twin-turbo (Various / 306hp) - 380
Volkswagen Group 1.4-litre TSI (Various / Various) - 287
Volkswagen Group 2.0-litre FSI (Various / 207hp) - 270
BMW 4.0-litre V8 (M3 / 420hp) - 241
BMW PSA 1.6-litre turbo (Various / 173hp) - 151
BMW 5.0-litre V10 (M5, M6 / 507hp) - 149

Here’s a piece of positive news for parent company BMW coming out of the UK.

Despite having its detractors in the press and public, especially in relation to the right hand side only suicide door which many interpreted as a snub to the UK market, the MINI Clubman accounted to one in five of all MINIs sold in the UK during the month of March 2008.

Not bad going for a vehicle which many view as even more of a niche product than the MINI itself was ever seen to be!