Comments on: BMW Introduces the MINI to Korea

By: Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 28 Oct 2005 12:02:01 +0000

what is the price of a mini cooper convertable in south korea?

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 20:42:03 +0000

Yeah, of course theirs must not be such a huge car culture or else they would never tolerate the huge tariffs and taxes imposed on foreign makes. Can you imagine if the U.S did that and, let’s say, every single import vehicle (made in the U.S. or not) doubled in price? Yikes! I could not be forced into a Big Three…

By: dsbmcs

dsbmcs — Tue, 01 Mar 2005 01:34:41 +0000

150 were pre-sold before launch, and they were supposed to get 400 MINIs per year. BMW Group Korea requested more, so they have granted additional 300 units per year.

By: CruzinChris

CruzinChris — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 06:39:12 +0000

I was stationed in Korea a few years ago and cars other than Korean built are rare. There is not a big car culture there like there is in Japan. The only non-Korean made “vehicle” that was selling when I was there was Harley Davidson motorcycles.

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 03:06:47 +0000

Nope! And I mean Nope with a capital “N”.

By: Rob Livesey

Rob Livesey — Sun, 27 Feb 2005 18:30:39 +0000

What? You can’t be arsed to wind the seats for yourself?

By: TJKonarski

TJKonarski — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 15:36:56 +0000

I don’t think it will be difficult for Korea (or anyone from any country for that matter) to consider MINI a luxury vehicle… As long as it’s equipped right! The vehicle already offers some of the most innovative, cutting-edge, modern and exclusive to only BMW/MINI safety and design features available on any car in any market. Think about this… If you bought a MINI Cooper S Convertible with the John Cooper Works and got every single available option put on it, including ‘luxury’ items like navigation and satellite radio, the MSRP would exceed $40k U.S. dollars — Even without the JCW it would sticker over $35k. Now, if they would only put power seats in the MINI. (I know, I know… It’s a sports car — A European one, at that. But still, it would be nice!)

By: morknmini

morknmini — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 07:00:47 +0000

BMW must believe there are a lot of well to do younger folks in S.Korea. I hope this heralds a stronger Korean economy. I sure am confused about that because Korean companies have become so good at doing what the Japanese did a generation ago–even the appearance of their products is as good as anyone’s. Yet despite certain Korean companies doing really well globally (especially Samsung) most are supposed to be heavily in debt. This is purported to be preventing the overall economy from performing as well as other exporting nations. Where did that debt come from? Is it similar to GM and Ford’s? Sorry, off topic here. Anyway BMW might be wrong and find that older Koreans prefer the MINI too.

By: Allan

Allan — Sat, 26 Feb 2005 04:53:21 +0000

Imported cars are VERY expensive in Korea. I was there last summer and most of the imported cars are only bought by celebrities or big business people. I actually saw 2 MINI coopers while I was there. Not a lot of people know what the MINI is in Korea, but they sure as hell know what BMW is. Once they find out that MINI is related to BMW, the MINIs will be very popular.

(P.S. I am Korean too)

By: Stefan

Stefan — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:41:04 +0000

The article says 38 Mio. Korean Won for a Cooper S, which is roughly about 38.000 USD.

The only foreign cars that sell in Korea are luxury cars, as they are a status symbol. Everyone else in Korea buys Korean cars. MINI needs to build the image of a "luxury" car in order to be successful in Korea.

(P.S. I am Korean)

By: Iain

Iain — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 20:15:43 +0000

I would be curious to know what the price of the Mini is in S. Korea. I was over there a few years ago and was amazed at the lackof imported cars (compared with say Singapore or Japan). It seems that the S. Korean government puts a huge import tax on foreign cars, the result of which is that they are basically unattainable for most people.

I remember one of my colleagues commenting that the BMW 3-series she lusted after was about $100k - she may have been exaggerating but it was expensive.

Wonder how the Mini compares to other cars in the market?

By: Paul C.

Paul C. — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 19:56:38 +0000

“The latest fad” boy doesn’t that just make you all happy inside. Oh brother here goes the beetle comparisons again.

By: Allan

Allan — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 19:03:54 +0000

My uncle in Korea would surely want one.

By: dgszweda

dgszweda — Fri, 25 Feb 2005 18:51:37 +0000

Maybe we can convince North Korea to give up their nuclear program in exchange for some free Minis.