And best of luck with boycotting – if you still want to buy MINI products I'd recommend looking at Out Motoring or other independently owned shops.

Let's show MINI USA how much they owe to enthusiast websites. Let's boycott MINI apparel. Let's show MINI USA that BMW of NA is shooting themselves in their own foot. Let's show them that they are in fact undoing all of their wonderful grass-roots advertising campaign.

The MINI Motion shoe comes in grey and charcoal grey and can be obtained in the PUMA Concept Store on the Frankfurter Zeil at a price of 150 Euros. The quantity and sales period are limited: fashion-conscious drivers, sneaker lovers and visitors to the International Motor Show (IAA Frankfurt, 11th – 21st September 2003) will only be able to purchase the shoe there from 8th until 26th September. A mere 2,000 pairs have been designated for the retail market worldwide; 350 are for the European market.

MINI and PUMA will be displaying a vehicle especially designed for this cooperation in front of the PUMA Concept Store in Frankfurt from 8th until 26th September. The interior trim of the vehicle (seat covers, controls, steering wheel and floor mats) adopts the current and future materials from the PUMA shoe design. The grey and yellow shades used reflect the typical two-tone design of MINI and are also oriented towards the colour design of the MINI Motion shoe. This special kind of MINI is a design experiment, in which the interior trim of a car is designed with materials normally used in other areas. Capturing the continuity of motion, the PUMA formstrip originates from the front tyre's point of origin and extends along the side of the vehicle. The tonal detailing of the formstrip as well as the leaping PUMA cat offer a subtle cue to PUMA's signature look.

This vehicle will be stopping over at two other places in Europe: at the PUMA Stores in Milan and London. The MINI Motion shoe will also be available there for about two weeks. After this trip, the vehicle will be displayed as an exhibit at the MINI Heritage Center in Oxford. A further automobile of this kind will be doing the rounds at the PUMA Flagship-Stores in the U.S. visiting New York, San Francisco, Santa Monica and Santa Barbara.

MINI has been looking for an answer to the question of how comfort, design and driving pleasure can be experienced in a new way. The answer is a partnership with PUMA. As a result, the automobile brand and sports article company have entered into an unusual, international cooperation: The innovative driver's shoe is called MINI Motion and combines the design competence of MINI and the longstanding know-how of PUMA.

The functional shoe has been developed under the slogan of “driving pleasure”. Its special feature is a two-in-one solution. It consists of a light inner shoe and sturdy outer shoe made of high-quality leather. Whilst the outer shoe prevents pressure spots from developing, thanks to its striking asymmetrical surface – e.g. when changing foot between the accelerator pedal, brake and clutch, the soft inner shoe is particularly suitable for driving long distances because of its protective rubber sole. The visual design of the MINI Motion is modelled on the successful PUMA motorsports shoe line. A large velcro fastener provides support across the instep of the foot. The flat outer sole, with its perfect profile, reproduces the natural shape of the foot and thereby ensures optimal stability. Discreet details such as the geometric stitching and the PUMA design logo with contrasting colours give the shoe a classical look.

So instead of personally boycotting products I'll call and write BMW, sign the petition, and use my site to help when I can.

Of course this is a personal choice and I totally respect people who would boycott the MINI_Motion line. It's just that this line of apparel is going to be so limited in it's production and geographical availability that it may not be the best target for something like this.

it's probably not necessary to pursue the German route as they are coming to the US, but it's an option.

Do you have any info on the regular Puma driving shoes? I only saw the hi-tops listed on their site. I'm looking for something more casual that I can wear around as well as in the car – something just like the MINI_Motion shoes.