Mini

Automakers shrink their European dealer networks

Nov. 29, 2012 06:01 CET

Automakers are using the expiry of the EU's block exemption regulations for new-car sales to eliminate underperforming dealers and shrink dealer networks in countries where vehicle sales are falling heavily.... Read More »

Mini to begin production at former Mitsubishi plant in second half of 2014

Nov. 28, 2012 21:26 CET

Production of new Mini models at a former Mitsubishi plant in the Netherlands will begin in the second half of 2014, a senior company executive said. Harald Krueger said that the company will decide in the coming months which models it will source from the former NedCar plant in Born, Netherlands.... Read More »

Mini to begin production at former Mitsubishi plant in second half of 2014

3:26 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 28, 2012

Production of new Mini models at a former Mitsubishi plant in the Netherlands will begin in the second half of 2014, a senior company executive said. Harald Krueger, BMW AG's board member in charge of Mini, Rolls-Royce, motorcycles and aftersales, said that the company will decide in the coming months which models it will source from the former NedCar plant in Born, Netherlands.... Read More »

Lexus, Mini are tops in sales satisfaction again, Power survey shows

1:00 pm U.S. ET | Nov. 28, 2012

Consumers are increasingly satisfied with the auto-buying experience, with Lexus repeating as the top-rated luxury brand and Mini again pacing mass-market brands in the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Sales Satisfaction Index Study released today. Mini topped the mass-market brand list for a third straight year with a 712 score. Buick was No. 2 and GMC was third as GM placed all three of its mass-market brands in the top five. Fiat was No. 4 and Subaru tied with Chevrolet for fifth.... Read More »

European, American car designers help Chinese develop own style

Nov. 27, 2012 06:01 CET

Chinese carmakers want to reach styling and quality milestones already achieved by their Asian rivals – but in a fraction of the time. To do this many Chinese brands have hired experienced Western design directors who they hope will make their products ready for the world. The list of European and American car stylists who have moved from mature Western brands to fledging Chinese companies is long and impressive.... Read More »

Open question for roof system suppliers

Nov. 23, 2012 06:01 CET

After a round of bankruptcies and buyouts, the world of roof system suppliers has narrowed to three major players: Webasto Roof Systems, Magna Car Top Systems and Valmet Automotive. With convertible production in Europe and North America stuck at recessionary levels, it is unclear whether all three can make much money in this segment.... Read More »

FROM THE CURRENT ANE PRINT ISSUE

BMW bets fwd architecture will keep it No. 1

Nov. 21, 2012 06:01 CET

The battle for the top spot in luxury car sales over the next decade likely will be decided by who wins the largest share of the expanding market for smaller premium cars. Current No. 1 BMW believes its new front-wheel-drive architecture will give it a competitive edge against German rivals Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Both automakers have vowed to overtake their Munich-based competitor.... Read More »

BMW on course for 2012 sales record after strong October

Nov. 9, 2012 14:42 CET

BMW said it is heading for its best sales year despite a flat European market after the company's October global volume increased by 13.2 percent to 157,618 vehicles.... Read More »

BMW opens first Mini dealership in Beijing as demand increases

Oct. 16, 2012 06:01 CET

BMW opened its first dealership in Beijing yesterday that is designated for its Mini brand as demand for luxury cars in the world's biggest auto market increases. The addition of the outlet comes as BMW, Volkswagen Group's Audi unit and Daimler's Mercedes-Benz posted higher sales in September in China, amid a decline in the country's total passenger vehicle delivery for the first time in eight months.... Read More »

Strong September helps BMW maintain sales lead over Audi, Mercedes

Oct. 9, 2012 10:58 CET

BMW increased vehicle sales at its flagship BMW brand by 14.3 percent to 146,843 in September thanks to strong demand in China, the United States and Europe. The growth helped BMW to maintain its sales lead over premium competitors Audi and Mercedes-Benz.... Read More »

BMW's surge in China sales reduces auto-market slowdown concerns

Oct. 5, 2012 07:49 CET

BMW Group's new-car sales in China surged last month, helping to ease concerns that the world's biggest automotive market is cooling too quickly.... Read More »

Magna may lose Mini production

Oct. 2, 2012 06:01 CET

Magna International is likely to lose production work with Mini as parent BMW looks to concentrate output of new-generation Minis in the UK and the Netherlands. BMW plans to make cars for it Mini brand at the NedCar factory in the Netherlands to ease capacity constraints at Mini's factory in Oxford, England.... Read More »

PARIS AUTO SHOW

BMW plans up to 12 models on new platform

Oct. 1, 2012 06:01 CET

BMW will develop 10 to 12 compact models based on its new front-wheel-drive platform, said Ian Robertson, board member for sales and marketing. The platform, known as UKL, debuted on the Concept Active Tourer at the Paris auto show.... Read More »

2012 PARIS AUTO SHOW

Audi SUV concept would be smaller than Q3, compete with Mini Countryman

11:38 am U.S. ET | Sept. 27, 2012

Audi previewed plans for a future crossover smaller than the Q3 with the Crosslane coupe concept unveiled today at the Paris motor show. Likely coming to market in 2015 with the Q2 nameplate, the new vehicle uses the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB modular platform. The Q2 would compete against vehicles such as the Mini Countryman.... Read More »

BMW names new production boss for Mini brand

Sept. 21, 2012 06:01 CET

Veteran BMW executive Frank Bachmann is the new head of production for the automaker's Mini brand.... Read More »

PARIS AUTO SHOW PREVIEW

VW Golf is main event in Paris

12:01 am U.S. ET | Sept. 17, 2012

Volkswagen will take center stage at the Paris auto show with the launch of the latest Golf, overshadowing French rivals Renault and PSA Peugeot Citroen on their home turf. The Paris spotlight will also be on BMW as the company unveils a concept car based on its new front-wheel-drive platform, which eventually may underpin up to nine smaller BMWs and future Minis.... Read More »

2012 PARIS AUTO SHOW

Paceman continues Mini's product expansion

3:40 am U.S. ET | Sept. 14, 2012

BMW today disclosed details of the Paceman coupe, the seventh model in the expanding lineup of the automaker's Mini brand.... Read More »

2012 PARIS AUTO SHOW

Paceman continues Mini's product expansion

Sept. 14, 2012 09:40 CET

BMW today disclosed details of the Paceman coupe, the seventh model in the expanding lineup of the automaker's Mini brand.... Read More »

BMW's August vehicle sales rise 9.7% on China demand

Sept. 7, 2012 11:16 CET

BMW sales in August increased 9.7 percent to a record 121,615 vehicles because of strong demand in China, where sales were up by more than a third from the same period last year.... Read More »

FINAL ASSEMBLY

'Win Small' wins big for Mini

12:01 am U.S. ET | Aug. 20, 2012

"Win Small" was a big winner for Mini, so the brand will extend the ad campaign that celebrated the underdog during the 2012 London Olympics.... Read More »

Volvo mulls adding Mini fighter, smaller engine

Aug. 20, 2012 06:01 CET

Volvo is considering adding a rival to BMW's Mini and the Audi A1. If that happens, the Swedish automaker would need a partner to share the costs, as well as a smaller engine, which would probably be made in cooperation with parent Zhejiang Geely of China, Volvo CEO Jacoby told Automotive News Europe.... Read More »

Mini dealers fill vacant stores
12:01 am U.S. ET | Aug. 20, 2012
Mini, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the United States, is one of the few franchises adding dealerships and seeing lots of existing stores expand voluntarily. And many of its dealers are taking advantage of all the vacant stores on the market -- the result of industry consolidation and the ravages of the recession.... Read More »