Archive for November 2010

Remember the MotoringFile Flickr Group?

Sections: Best of the Web Nov 8th, 2010 2 Comments

It’s been a while since we’ve mentioned the MotoringFile Flickr Group. So for your Monday’s enjoyment, here’s about 6,500 photos from enthusiasts like you. Got great photos of your car or a MINI event? Throw them in the pool. There’s no better place on the interwebs to show off your wings.

New MINI vs Classic vs Porsche 911 at the ‘Ring

Sections: Classic Mini, R56 (Hatch), Video Nov 6th, 2010 11 Comments

Yes it’s 100% in German but this will be the best 10 minutes of racing you will see all weekend. The video features Sabine Schmitz driving a new stock R56 MINI versus a race prepped Honda VTEC equipped classic Mini around the Nurburgring. The winner then takes on a late model Carrera S (also driven by the famous ‘Ring taxi driver). Did MINI USA have it wrong when they challenged Porsche this summer? Did they just bring the wrong MINI?

Forbes: MINI Smarter Than A Smart Car

Sections: In the Press, MINI Competitors Nov 5th, 2010 21 Comments

It’s not news to us that MINI’s have great resale value. In this recent article from Forbes, they mention the MINI specifically as a car that retains its worth far better than average. continued →

MINI Joins Rally Legends for Future Car Challenge

Sections: Motorsports, Official News Nov 4th, 2010 3 Comments

Official Release: Rally legends Paddy Hopkirk and David Richards will go head to head driving MINIs at the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge this weekend. The inaugural RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge will showcase to the latest electric, hybrid and low-emission passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. Royal Automobile Club trophies will be awarded in different categories for the most energy efficient vehicles that have completed the 60-mile Brighton to London run starting in Brighton at 8am. These future cars will be on display in Regent Street from 12.30am till 4pm. continued →

BMW Group 3rd Quarter Revenues Up 36%. Worldwide MINI Sales Up 4%

Sections: MF Feature, Official News, Sales Nov 4th, 2010 No Comments

The recession certainly looks over from the BMW Group’s perspective. Revenues up 35.6% and record profits in Q3 have made the automaker officially raise 2010 forecasts. For MINI things are a little bit more mixed with an important new model and the entire MINI line refreshed just recently and quite late into the 3rd quarter.

Full Release: The BMW Group continued to perform extremely well in the third quarter 2010, recording sharp increases in sales volumes, revenues and earnings. Third-quarter Group revenues rose by 35.6% to euro 15,940 million (2009: euro 11,759 million) while the profit before tax jumped to euro 1,359 million (2009: euro 126 million), the highest pre-tax profit ever recorded by the BMW Group in a single quarter. The third-quarter profit before financial result increased to euro 1,192 million (2009: euro 55 million), while the third-quarter profit after tax improved to euro 874 million (2009: euro 78 million). The number of cars sold during the period from July to September increased by 13.0% to 366,190 units (2009: 324,100 units). continued →

MINI U.S. Sales Down 5.4% for October

Sections: Official News, Sales Nov 3rd, 2010 8 Comments

Table: Sales BMW of North America, LLC – October 2010

Official release: MINI USA reported sales of 3,950 automobiles, a decrease of 5.4 percent from the 4,176 cars sold last year. Year-to-date, MINI USA also reported sales of 38,538 automobiles, a decrease of 1.6 percent from the 39,172 units sold in the same period of 2009.

They’re interesting numbers, given that just a month ago, U.S. MINI sales were up 18%.

MINI Names New Manager of Marketing

Sections: Marketing Nov 3rd, 2010 10 Comments

There has been some shuffling in the halls of BMW and MINI. Beginning December 1st, Tom Salkowsky will leave his role as Manager of Corporate Communications for BMW and take on the roll of Manager of Marketing for MINI. He’ll be replacing Trudy Hardy, who is moving on to become Manager of BMW Marketing Communications. Her roll was formerly held by Patrick McKenna, who is now moving on to head MINI’s Product Strategy and Motor Experiences Department. Get all that? Good. continued →