(Updated: all photos have removed due to a BMW/MINI legal request) Images of the R57 MINI Convertible, scheduled to debut this winter at the Detroit Auto Show, have surfaced thanks to a tipster. While there aren’t many surprises in these photos thanks previous information we’ve reported, there are a couple of new items shown. For one it looks as if MINI is adding a black trip options on the headlights and on the belt-line trim that has been traditionally chrome. continued →
With the current financial state of the US economy and the decline in sales of BMW models, BMWNA has watched sales dip for the first time in a long time. This comes at a time when the company has just invested in expanding its headquarters in NJ, along with other capital investments.
This past spring brought about a change in the used car market. Plummeting prices forced BMW to write down some of its losses. The losses continue due to the poor state of the market. With more cars to come off lease with inflated residuals, how can BMW offset these losses and the money they have already spent elsewhere? Easy: sell some of its more liquid assets.
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The 2009 MINI convertible has been spotted again, this time with the top down. And as we have been reporting, the new car will not have the rollbar that was so prominently featured on the R52. The photo above comes courtesy of Auto Express but don’t expect anything new within their article. For instance they claim the R57 was delayed due to the R52 selling so well. That in fact is not the case. The roll-out for the various MINI models has been set in stone for as long as 4 years now and is closely following the timeline that BMW has used for it’s various models for decades. So while we’d recommend taking a look at the pics, read the full article at your own peril.
If you’ve been wanting a closer look at MINI’s new Crossover Concept but didn’t have plans to get to the Paris Motor Show, we have your answer. We’ve obtained some official footage of the concept that gives us a much better glimpse at much of the functionality that doesn’t really come through in two dimensional photos. So grab your favorite beverage, sit back and enjoy…
Automotive News is reporting that BMW North America and MINI USA will be reducing it’s staff by around 100 employees and turning down 44,000 cars (it’s not clear how many if any of that will be MINIs) that were allocated for the North American market. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
O’Donnell has ordered his department heads to look at cutting costs. They were to have reported back to him by the end of last week. Marketing will be a key area for slashing expenses. O’Donnell said it is wrong “to push in a market that is declining.” continued →
MINI has a coupe, a convertible (set to be re-introduced next spring), a wagon-like vehicle and soon an SUV. While we’ve known for quite some time MINI has been contemplating different variations of the current line-up, however until now we never had any official confirmation of what may be coming. After talking with various high-level sources we’ve pieced together the following list of potential MINI variations that BMW is currently studying. continued →
The 2008 Paris Auto Show is coming up. MINI plans to be there in force showing off all of the current cars as well as the JCW Clubman, the R60 Concept and the Cooper D.
The Current MINI Range at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.
From Driving Pleasure to Sheer Passion: The MINI John Cooper Works. The MINI John Cooper Works Clubman.
(MINI Press Release)Note: Unless indicated otherwise, the contents of this Media Information Kit relate to the equipment and specifications for Germany. Deviations in other markets are possible. All specifications and technical data on the MINI John Cooper Works and MINI John Cooper Works Clubman are provisional.
The sporting talent comes in its DNA, the joy of above-average performance is unparalleled every mile, every kilometre on the road. MINI at its best – ready to go for new records in its strongest discipline: the joy of motoring.
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Sections: R57 (Conv.) Sep 27th, 2008 80 Comments 
