MINI Cooper
January 15, 2011 Leave a Comment
On this episode of nxtMINI podcast we cover the 2011 Detroit Auto Show (NAIAS) MINI Paceman Concept, December sales figures, MINI Connected with Pandora and other information. So tune in and enjoy! Motor On!
January 15, 2011 Leave a Comment
Below is the official speech given by Ian Robertson at the North American International Show (NAIAS) in detroit on 10 Jan 2011.
Ian Robertson: Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing
MINI Press Conference
North American International Auto Show
Detroit, 10 January 2011
Good afternoon everyone and welcome to MINI.
It’s great to be here. MINI is right at home in the US.
And we are also very proud to support the United States Olympic Committee and Team USA, as you see from the logo on the MINI Countryman.
The MINI Countryman is yet another example of MINI’s success in blazing new trails with fresh and exciting models.
This car is a huge hit! Incoming orders are 30% higher than expected. Worldwide, we have already sold well over 15,000 of these cars and it already accounts for around one fifth of MINI’s sales.
As of this month, the MINI Countryman will also be available in MINI’s biggest single market – the US. We are confident it will also receive a warm welcome here, as it has done in other markets.
With optional all-wheel drive, the MINI Countryman also provides heaps of driving fun and performance in the snow… And it’s only appropriate that MINI has now entered into a global cooperation with leading snowboard manufacturer, Burton. The partnership focuses on the Burton Global Open Series, with events in Switzerland Canada and, of course, here in the US.
Snowboarding, with its “rebel” attitude and “cutting-edge” scene is a perfect fit for the MINI brand.
MINI is all about pushing new limits – it broke new ground when it created the premium small car segment. And we have more models to offer in this segment today than any other brand. Today we are going to give you another glimpse into the future at MINI.
But first, let’s take a look at the current MINI family, which is more youthful and diverse than ever.
The model range was fully revised and expanded in 2010 and this is the first time that we have all the members of the NEW MINI FAMILY here in the US.
The new MINI Hardtop.
The new MINI Convertible.
The new MINI Clubman.
And the new MINI Countryman.
The family will keep growing and we will be exploring further concepts for MINI. The MINI Coupé and Roadster will soon take the MINI family to six. The Coupé will go on sale later this year and the Roadster in 2012.
The ongoing success of MINI confirms that we are well in touch with our customers and the kind of cars they want from MINI. We are thrilled that 2010 was the most successful sales year in MINI’s history. Last year we sold well over 234,000 MINI cars in total worldwide. This was 8.2% percent up on the previous year.
This year we’ll have a full sales year with the Countryman and we will continue the momentum. The US will of course play a key role in this – we just had the most successful December here ever for MINI and we look forward to building upon that.
Exactly ten years ago- here in Detroit – MINI began its relaunch after an absence of more than three decades in the US. The new MINI now has well over 300,000 owners here.
At MINI, we always love thinking about what’s around the corner… And on this special anniversary, we will reveal an exciting study for a further car concept – the MINI Paceman Concept!
This car captures the typical MINI characteristics – unique design, clever functionality and signature driving fun – with a new level of agility.
It combines an athletic, masculine coupé appearance with the dimensions of the MINI Countryman. It has more of a horizontal orientation than the MINI Countryman – which gives it a very dynamic expression. It is the strong muscular MINI with sporty elegance.
And once again, MINI is going into territory where no one’s been before – it’s the first Crossover Coupé in the premium small car segment.
And with the 1.6 liter John Cooper Works twin-scroll turbo engine under the hood, there’s real power in this car.
As it’s based on the MINI Countryman, this car can also have MINIALL4, which is MINI’s all-wheel drive.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Here it is – the world premiere of the MINI Paceman Concept.
I’m thrilled to tell you now, for the very first time, that there will be a seventh member of the MINI family – and we will base it on this concept!
MINI keeps growing, the excitement never stops.
And we’re very happy that you could join us today to share a glimpse into the future at MINI. Thank you.
January 15, 2011 Leave a Comment
Here is the final cut of the commercial MINI vs. Monster. Watch it, Enjoy it. Motor On!
January 5, 2011 Leave a Comment
MINI USA ANNOUNCES ITS FIRST PARTNERSHIP TO DEVELOP THIRD-PARTY APPS FOR MINI CONNECTED
Pandora® internet radio named as the first MINI Connected Approved App
• MINI USA and Pandora® collaborate to enable Pandora service through MINI Connected on MY 2011 MINI vehicles
• Customers will be able to operate Pandora using existing vehicle controls
• Additional third-party apps to be announced soon
Las Vegas – January 5, 2011… MINI USA announced today that the company is collaborating with Pandora to develop the first third party app for MINI Connected. Upon completion, Pandora internet radio will be available at no charge and allow customers to access and control Pandora through the existing MINI Connected system.
All 2011 MINIs equipped with MINI Connected will be able to stream Pandora, enabling access to personalized internet radio across the entire vehicle lineup. Unique features to the MINI Connected app will include popular Pandora features, such as: easy access to existing stations, the ability to create new ones using the car interface and high-resolution, color display of album art.
“Integration of Pandora has been highly requested by our existing owners and potential new customers,” said Stephan Durach, Director of the BMW Group Technology Office Palo Alto. “We are pleased that we are able to partner with Pandora and look forward to offering this function across the MINI product range in a way that is simple to access and safer to operate.”
Once development is complete, MINI customers will be able to download Pandora, which will immediately work with their existing MINI Connected systems. The Pandora internet radio integration, like the existing MINI Connected functions, will be seamless.
“We’re thrilled that MINI is making Pandora available to customers across its full range of vehicles, thereby enabling people to enjoy their personalized radio stations while on-the-go,” said Jessica Steel, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Pandora.
Demonstrations of the forthcoming app and its functionality in MINI vehicles will be offered this week during the Consumer Telematics Show and Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV.
December 23, 2010 1 Comment
Here’s a new video showing the MINI Connected in action. Enjoy and Motor On!
December 13, 2010 1 Comment
Here’s a new ad campaign from MINI in Canada showing a virtual vending machine where you can choose your favorite MINI by texting a number. Will this show up everywhere? Is it in your town? Let us know in the comments below. Motor On!
December 2, 2010 1 Comment
Here’s another winter commercial of the MINI Countryman
December 2, 2010 1 Comment
Here’s one of the first MINI Countryman Commercials set during the winter time. What do you think? Post your thoughts in the comment section, would love to hear what you think of this video.
November 5, 2010 Leave a Comment
Product Presentation – The All-New MINI Countryman
Vinnie Kung, MINI Product Manager – MINI USA
In October, MINI’s Product Manager, Vinnie Kung, presented an overview of the technical specifications for the all-new MINI Countryman. The presentation includes details about the vehicle’s design and its focus on versatility, the optional ALL4 system, and the standard equipment and optional features available on MINI’s biggest small idea.
October 14, 2010 Leave a Comment
MINI has officially released pricing for the 2011 MINI Countryman (R60) for the USA. Even though you were able to order one, the dealers didn’t have the price yet. Click on the link below to see the MSRP and pricing for all the available packages for the MINI Countryman.
