Sep 30th, 2007
Immediately after touring Plant Oxford last June, Todd and I where wisked into a very large room where we got to interview the Quality and Engineering Director for MINI. We got to ask some great questions, and he answered all of them! Everyone at Plant Oxford was very generous with their time while we were there and if you ever get the chance to get over there for a tour it is highly recommended.
A short week this week as I mentioned during #188. Don’t worry, we are going to make it up to you in the form of a live show this Thursday! Full details to follow soon.
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Sep 30th, 2007
Last week we reported on MINI USA’s MotorTober events planned throughout the nation at MINI dealers. This week I’m happy to announce my own participation in one of the premier events on the east coast hosted by Westchester MINI on October 21st in Rye NY. There will be a number of different track events with actual instructors from the Skip Barber racing school. Along with that you’ll also get a chance to ride with a professional driver to see the true limits of the MINI on the track. Westchester County Police will also be on hand to provide a safe driving day including instructions on putting car seats in properly, perhaps a child identification program and if all goes well, their driving simulators. continued →
Sep 29th, 2007
Official MINI USA Press Release: A MINI Cooper Convertible will kick-off the Fall movie season as the featured automobile in one of this season’s most anticipated comedies, “The Heartbreak Kid.” The new DreamWorks Pictures film from Bobby and Peter Farrelly opens nationwide October 5th with an all star cast that includes: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Jerry Stiller, and Malin Akerman. Ben Stiller plays eternal bachelor Eddie, who falls head over heels in love with the beautiful Lila (Malin Akerman) and marries at top speed. The newlyweds quickly set off to sunny Mexico in their MINI Convertible. But even on the journey, the would-be dream woman turns out, in typical Farrelly manner, to be a real nightmare – brazen, embarrassing, singing along with every radio hit and absolutely hopeless at math. Eddie’s only shimmer of hope is the pretty Miranda (Michelle Monaghan), whom he unfortunately meets only after he has said “I do” to Lila. continued →
Sep 28th, 2007
Update: After updating my iPhone to the newly released 1.11 software released today, it suddenly works perfectly with MINI’s bluetooth. Despite having tested it previously with two different iPhone software versions and it not working, could it have been Apple’s fault all along? I’ll be checking a couple other iPhones this weekend.
Recently we’ve heard reports of iPhone integration becoming rather messy after MINI’s most recent software update. Unfortunately I now have some first-hand proof of just that. continued →
Sep 28th, 2007
Official MINI USA Press Release: MINI USA has deemed the month of October “MOTOR-TOBER”, a cheeky way to invite people into their nearest MINI showroom during the month of October to test drive a new MINI. The program is designed to allow potential customers to become future enthusiasts by giving them a chance to get behind the wheel of a MINI and experience first-hand the excellent driving dynamic of MINI’s full line of vehicles. continued →
Sep 28th, 2007
Potentially big news for the BMW Group (and even MINI enthusiasts) was tucked away in today’s future strategies presentation given by BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer:
The BMW Group explored all of the options for future growth during the strategic review, including potential acquisitions or the creation of a fourth brand. However, this would require the new automotive brand to be a perfect fit for the company and its strengths. Moreover, rising unit figures would have to result in a decline in unit costs and thus lead to economies of scale. The new brand would have to at least make the same positive contribution to earnings as the existing automobile business. However, an in-depth analysis found that none of the evaluated automotive brands currently meets these requirements. continued →
Sep 27th, 2007
Just because the MINI Clubman is a bit more practical doesn’t mean the marketing won’t be any less unconventional. Starting Friday September 28th 2007 at 4pm GMT MINI will release a weekly 15-second surrealist interpretation of an everyday event that will only be available on The Other View site for one minute. Be sure to check it out.
[ The Other View ] MINI UK
(via Cool Hunting)
