MINI’s 2008 Fuel Saving Technology Not Coming to US Market

Sections: R56 (Hatch) Jul 18th, 2007 55 Comments

We had a suspicion that MINI’s new fuel saving technologies wouldn’t make it to the US market, and yesterday we got the confirmation that we didn’t want to hear. With this news, it would seem that US spec 2008 MINI’s won’t get the following fuel saving tech:

Brake Energy Regeneration
Auto Start-Stop Function
Gear Shift Indicator

However other new features such as the cruise control speed display and the optional USB connection should make it across the pond.

Why is the US market getting deprived of these new features? We can only guess at this point. Perhaps MINI doesn’t feel the cost of fuel in the US warrants these potentially expensive technologies?

Written By: Gabe

Nigel

Mark my words….June/July 2008 MINIUSA will issue a press release announcing the Dooper availability for the ’09 model year….
Bilbo Baggins

Nigel Jul 18th, 2007 Link They fear mounting warranty claims and problems that may creep up from these emerging technologies. Actually BMW might be doing the US consumer a favor by not adding these features into US spec cars. But from the fuel saving point of view, I am also dissapointed. Lawyers and Beancounters are clearly at the helm of BMW these daysÃ¢â‚¬Â¦

I think that you make a very good point. The USA is definitely over run with people looking for any excuse to try to sue someone else. I do not blame any manufacturer for not wanting to introduce a potential warranty issue. It is just this attitude that drives up the cost of doing business in the USA. The manufacturers have to have their own lawyers on staff and carry millions, if not billions, of dollars in insurance to prevent law suits from bankrupting their companies. It is a real shame that that is what it has come down to. We all pay for these large settlements each and every day.

Rant over.
Bob

I have an ’03 Cooper, which I enjoy very much. But I was looking forward to the ’08 models, maybe a Clubman, or maybe another Cooper. As a response to the disapointing news from MINI, yesterday I Test Drove a Mazda and looked at a Saturn. IÃ¢â‚¬â„¢m a bit put out. Fuel economy is important to me and to my country (America) thatÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s one of the reasons I like the MINI – Fuel Economy! Remember; Lets Sip. Billboards touting; Big Cars – Gas station at next exit? I can (sort of) understand that BMW, can’t or wont, make their diesel run clean enough for US EPA standards because its either to costly or not worth the effort (too costly). But I’ve yet to meet anyone who didnÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t breathe the same air as I do. As the Jet Stream brings ChinaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s pollution to AmericaÃ¢â‚¬â„¢s west coast, our pollution is taken to Europe, and so on. Think about that. Ok I canÃ¢â‚¬â„¢t get a MINI D, but not to worry, MINIÃ¢â‚¬â„¢ll make a higher milage car. So youÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re the new MINI wont use as much petrol, and as a result make less pollution. But theyÃ¢â‚¬â„¢re not going to sell it in the US. Fuelish! If MINI uses fuel saving devises in the rest of the world, then they should be used here as well. I for one will be contacting Mini USA & BMW about this and I would ask others to do the same. Respectfully, Bob
Rob

The decision to leave these fuel saving features out of US bound MINIs must be based on economic considerations. If the technology is good enough for the European market, then it should be good enough for any market. I think the MINI is faced with a falling dollar that is squeezing profitabilty of its US operations and quite possibly forcing it to raise prices in the US. Addtional features would require raising the price of the car and thus cut into sales.

I am a potential first -time MINI buyer who places a very high priority on fuel efficiency for environmental reasons. Of course, I also want the speed and fun that a MINI can offer. I am disappointed that I will not have the opportunity to purchase a car with the latest fuel saving technology, but I can understand the reason why.
hardy

I think Rob you are probably right..I for one am a current mini owner but want even better economy that europeans enjoy already and would love the 2008 D with stop start and would pay for it, and mad that I cant even get half that equation. I am perplexed by people who are afraid of the stop start on this board and others. It quite clearly states in mini press release literature for euro spec that the on/off will not engage when the engine is cold, or it is really hot outside for the A/C etc…you can also read about reviews that cite no delay in response (why do people think it will be like cranking your engine over a few times in the morning?It’s not the same thing as a “regular start”)…and if you are THAT wary of it you can turn it off. And its not like its some obscure option…it is STANDARD for all non US 2008 models. I think they know what they are doing. Currency pressure certainly, but also marketing BS at the helm.

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