Business Week Interviews Jim McDowell

This link gets you right to the article:

http://www.businessweek.com/autos/content/jun2006/bw20060622_268203.htm?chan=autos_autos+index+page_news

Is Jim wearing the new uniform in the photo? If so would it be possible to purchase the garment? The MINI motoring gear is cool, but what is needed is a shirt like this to wear while you are working on your car – similar to a racing team shirt. Some of us don’t fit into the MINI gear demographics of tight t-shirts and bare midrifts. So how about it Gabe – will MF introduce a garment?

Did anyone else notice to the right, third one down, the story titled “Minting Women Millionaires: The Winners” an interesting background prop?

The MINI and Mini experience here in the States has always been a somewhat closed society, in that here, in the USA, there were never really enough of them to become “just a car”, and individuality was a badge worn right up front, almost as a challenge to the masses of drivers who weren’t clued in to the Mini/MINI appeal. I can’t really remember ever seeing any two of ‘em alike, even now, and most owners seem to put their own stamp on ‘em pretty quick, and then keep on tweaking and fiddling with ‘em.

This is one aspect that MINI has continued to nurture, and even MINI owners who aren’t overt enthusiasts, who don’t visit the various websites, who don’t go on club runs or events – they often have personalized plates, aftermarket wheels, or other add-ons that individualize their MINI; they’re wearing that badge right out front are just as much any of us. I waited many, many years for their return, and MINI has succeeded beyond my wildest dreams, and no doubt theirs, as well. They have kept the faith with those of us from before, and also all of us now, and made it easier than any other car to personalize.

Make no mistake – you buy a MINI because it’s not like the others, and it practically shouts that out just by its signature look, so every thing added isn’t just extra evidence of each owner’s joy of motoring – it’s also there to show off themselves, in how they mod their MINI, however much bling or subtlety is used, and tell other non-MINI owners that “Hey, you just don’t get it, fools!”. ;-) And the amazing part of the equation is it’s affordable!

As a niche car, it will always be fairly rare, and therefore, not likely to ever be “just a car”, and I’m pretty damn glad about that. I would hate to see a bunch of soulless, clueless owners just tiddling around town in identical MINIs, never making a bold statement that made ‘em any different from all the other blah brands out there. I’ve other cars that are just as overtly different as my MINI,(or more so!), but Brooksie is so damn much fun to drive, I don’t think they’ll ever eclipse her as the most personal transportation generally available on this planet.

                 BCNU,
              Rob in Dago