MINI United Interview: Gert Hildebrand

Sections: Events | MINI United | Podcast Jun 26th, 2007 30 Comments

Count this interview as a personal highlight of mine from MINI United. Mr Hildebrand is not only the head of MINI design but a charming (and at times humble) personality who you can’t help but be disarmed by. We talk about what went into designing the R56, how big a MINI can be while still a MINI and we even touch on the often discussed center stack of the new car. For anyone interested specifically in design, you won’t want to miss this.

MINI United Interview / Gert Hildebrand:

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Written By: Gabe

Jon

No wonder this ranks as your favorite interview Gabe, all I can say is wow. Makes me smile hearing from Mr. Hildebrand talk about the Mini brand, I hear somebody who is very pleased to be a proud part of the Mini community.

Still have to say that a Mini SUV makes me nuts, I hope to never ever see a lumbering Mini on the roads. While I totally agree with Mr. Hildebrand’s view that a Mini is not a physical measurement, but rather a feeling.

Just had to say job well done on the new car, as a proud owner of a 67 S, 05 JCW S, and a 06 R53 S, I have backed up my feelings by having officially bought my first R56 over this weekend. Just wanted to send my appreciation to the entire Mini team for thier efforts.
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

I’ve also posted on WRR, but I have to say this was a great interview with some cool insite in the design and development of the R56.

Thanks for asking about the center stack and kudos to Gert for his honest answers.

Also, I’m glad they’re listening (well, reading) to the customer feedback. It speaks volumes for the brand.
Nathaniel Salzman

I commented over at WRR too, but it’s worth saying again. Kudos to Gert and his crew. This was an amazing interview and I think what really impressed me the most was just Gert himself and his commitment to hands-on design, his style of leadership, his completely humbling outlook on criticism from monday morning quarterbacks like me, and just his seeming total lack of ego. I was blown away when he said “This isn’t a Gert Hildebrand car, this is a MINI.” Wow. His unassuming attitude just impressed me to no end.

And Gert, knowing you read our comments is thoroughly humbling. That you take the time to check the pulse of the community is just great! You all have crafted a car worth arguing about and that’s a profound achievement. Kudos to you and to your team!
Ken

Ok, Mr Hildebrand

Please design an optional 2 spoke wheel for the U.S. With the controls on the backside, they allow me to drive and adjust controls with moving my hands to an awkward position on the wheel. I have used the current controls and find them difficult to use and not at all natural.
gokartride

Another amazing offering!! I wish it I could say otherwise, but this is so much better than reading the same info in print. Mr. Hildebrand’s enthusiasm, genuineness, humor, and dedication all come through in an interview like this and that makes it extra-significant.
Nigel

This interview reflects almost a totally different man, from a similar Q&A session that was published in http://www.mini2.com a few months ago.
http://www.matthewgifford.com/ Matt G.

In what ways, Nigel?
Nigel

His responses in the MINI2 interview were more fabricated. It just gave the impression that he was avoiding to answer certain ‘direct’questions and basically his language was pure marketing drivel. If you read a similar interview with Frank Stephenson also in MINI2 from years earlier (When the original New MINI was launched) you’ll see a stark contrast between both men.

I guess that once in person, Gert Hildebrand tends to be a little less “corporate speak” but for what I have read over in MINI2, he is not the easiest person to ÃƒÂ©xtract’information from, so I have been told.
rkw

No wonder this ranks as your favorite interview Gabe

It’s gotta make you feel good when the chief designer at MINI says he reads MotoringFile daily. Nice to hear that he reads and takes the reader comments seriously.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

It just gave the impression that he was avoiding to answer certain Ã¢â‚¬ËœdirectÃ¢â‚¬â„¢questions and basically his language was pure marketing drivel.

As you hear from the interview, that couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s exceptionally open and honest and a pleasure to talk to and be around. And he’s pretty funny as you can see below:
Nathaniel Salzman

With such an exciting event, I can see how you guys would be tired.
http://www.matthewgifford.com/ Matt G.

Nigel,

I think the difference has more to do with the interview style than anything else. When you send someone a list of written questions, of course you’re going to get responses that sound canned. The interviewee has time rethink and edit their answers before sending them back. The interviewer also loses the ability to read the body language and tone of the interviewee and ask follow-up questions based on this feedback. IMHO, I think it’s a horrible way to conduct an interview.
lavardera

Its so great to hear from the designers when the distance from them to the consumer is so great in a car company. Its great that he and his team read the blogs and community message boards to get first hand feedback on their design decisions. I love my R56 but I have to say I want them to be inspired to change it – to keep moving the design forward, to keep reinterpreting the brand and reinventing it for what is ultimately a changing world.
bluzeke

Another good catch guys! Judging from the interview I’d say it’s pretty clear that Gert and the design team have gotten the message that the center stack needs a rework. Mission Accomplished! ;-)

Oh yeah – I kinda thought the competing background noise and music gave us an extra aural glimpse into the general thumpin’ vibe!
Mytmini

I hope that Herr Hildebrand’s brilliant influence is still prevalent at Mini when I either replace or add to our 06 MCS. Makes me proud to know that the chief designer is as dedicated to the Mini as is this customer. Great interview! Thank you.
john m

so why do the continue with the black wheel arches, we hate them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.dickdavid.com dickdavid

so why do the continue with the black wheel arches, we hate them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe because some of us actually like them.
lavardera

love them
Nigel

I am glad to hear that Gert is such an approachable and pleasing individual and that after all is said and done he does really feel passionate about nurturing the brand and its designs. At least the R55 seems to be proof of that. But since I am stubborn by nature, I will fully restore my respects and admirations for the man, once he addresses the teething design issues that plague the R56, both inside and out in the next forthcoming facelift.

The way I see it, the center stack in the instrument panel is a splendid place to start.

-Nigel
http://www.matthewgifford.com/ Matt G.

john m,

I think you’ll find that your “we” is a very small minority. Body-colored arches are awful.
http://toddsmods.com/blog Todd

I think youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll find that your “we” is a very small minority. Body-colored arches are awful.

Agreed, in general, but body colored arches would do a lot to improve the looks of the factory aero kit.
Nigel

I don’t have a problem with the black plastic wheel spats as long as the plastic itself is of better quality than what we have now.
http://www.matthewgifford.com/ Matt G.

Todd,

I agree. But that would only begin to address the problems with that kit.
giacomo

BMW MINI Design Team, please handle the masterpiece you have in your hands carefully…show that you can better Stephenson’s winner…I only see a poor attempt to weakly advance his brilliant interpretation.
Pingback: Frank Stephenson at Alfa Romeo! - Page 4 - MINI2
Pingback: Frank Stephenson at Alfa Romeo! - Page 4 - MINI2
lavardera

BMW MINI Design Team, please handle the masterpiece we have in our hands roughly and deliberatelyÃ¢â‚¬Â¦show that you can experiment and explore new directionsÃ¢â‚¬Â¦the original Mini was a revolution and not timid steps. If some of us are not upset with your decisions then you are probably not doing your job.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

I donÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t have a problem with the black plastic wheel spats as long as the plastic itself is of better quality than what we have now.

Thankfully they’re much higher quality than the previous car.
msh441

Wow that was a great interview. It seems you get some much more out of an audio interview vs. the sterile printed word. Seems like a very nice, down to earth guy.

Oh, and nice of him to give the shout out to us here in the Seattle club and “Chuckanut Road” (well, it’s actually Chuckanut Drive, but hey…).
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