MINI Spacebox Mistimed?
At least that’s what Helen Walters at BusinessWeek.com wonders.
>Still, I can’t help but wonder about initiatives like this. Given the economic environment and the grim news coming from the auto industry writ such large, one-off projects seem ripe to be filed under “nice but unnecessary.” BMW recently laid off 850 Mini workers from its Cowley plant in the UK, and Mini sales were down 35% in January compared to the year before, according to the AP.
An interesting point.
>Concepts are certainly part and parcel of the auto design world. But this was strictly a one-off. “It is through concept studies like these that we communicate our MINI brand values of cool, out of the box thinking,” wrote a BMW spokeswoman in an email. In other words, it’s just for buzz.
Personally, I think now is exactly the right time to keep the buzz going. There is bound to come a time when people start spending money again, especially on cars and now is the time to keep the Brand on the minds of potential buyers with projects like this.
[ BMW Mini + Airstream = Mistimed? ] BusinessWeek.com
<p>Maybe – I can faintly see the wierd logic, having worked with marketig/ad agencies and seen some of the “should be orbiting Pluto” ideas they sometimes come up with. Like a color-coordinated trailer you could never even hope to tow with the car! Some one was off their meds that day at the agency. Why not a true MINI’izd light-weight tear-drop trailer that the car COULD tow….</p>
<p>Something I learned from a advertising friend. “Doesn’t matter if the ad is good or bad as long as people are talking about it”. On this logic alone guessing this makes sense. I however think they should have held off on this until the R60 was ready as it might have a slight chance of being able to tow this.</p>
<p>Oh well guess all that matters are people are talking about it heh.</p>
<p>Yup the vehicle accomplished exactly what it was meant to do, generate a buzz about the Clubman and get people thinking about the car. GM is in more of a world of hurt than MINI and they still produce concepts and one-offs. Honestly I would rather check out a car, if I was in the market to buy one, if it was being shown in the form of a cool concept/one-off than by some lame TV spot. The Airsteam thing is cool and clever and if I knew nothing about the Clubman it very well could make me go research it.</p>
<p>Mk1 I agree. I would love to see MINI come out with a small version of this that you could actually pull. Imagine the same concept just reduced to match the roof line of the Cooper. Enough room to sleep two and maybe haul a little track gear.</p>
<p>This Concept with Airstream was actually devised in the months between the launch of the MINI clubman @ the IAA in 2007. There has been many interpretations and designs on how the final concept would look , unfortunately as the economic problems hit , the final proposal was at the final stages – meaning it was too late to back away from.</p>
<p>This idea symbolises the Culture that the MINI brand has created it is truly a lifestyle that many people regard highly and the brand that appears to entice first time buyers than any other brand.</p>
<p>When rival manufacturers talk of producing a “MINI Killer” It is a completely delusional response because no matter who hard they try their (interpretation) of the MINI Concept will fail because they do not understand the depths of the MINI brand and that it offers more than just a range of cars , which is why customers love the MINI brand.</p>
<p>Firstly you need to tow a trailer to carry anything big and bulky in your MINI. See Mini-do-more advert.
Secondly why spend money on salaries getting workers to design something that will never make the production line?
If you do a net search on “Wildgoose” you will see an actual Campervan made out of an old Mini that did make production. Here it is: <a href="http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/altpics/goose.html" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.minimarcos.org.uk/altpics/goose.html</a></p>
<p>I think this is great! I sorta want one. I guess only the S would be powerful enough to pull the load.</p>
<p>If I could pull a lifted wrangler 10 miles with a stock R53, why can’t a Mini clubman tow a hefty trailer? The only problem I can possibly see with this is the rear suspension, depending on the balance of the trailer, and if it would weigh enough to require trailer brakes (then probably too heavy to tow with a Mini).</p>