MINI City Car Not Destined for the US?
In a interview with AutoGuide Jim McDowell dispelled two MINI myths about the US market. First there will not be a larger MINI than the current Countryman for the foreseeable future. Second there will not be a smaller MINI than the current R56 hatchback. But what of the MINI City car concept we know will be debuting in Geneva in the coming days? Based on these comments we would assume that MINI USA currently has no plans to offer it in the US.
Where MINI does have plans are making use of the “very flexible” R60 platform for more crossover variants. MF readers will know that that comment likely pertains to the upcoming Paceman crossover coupe and the next generation Clubman.
<p>MINI is just delivering the great news today.</p>
<p>It could be worse, we could be like South Africa and don’t get the “Justa” Cooper versions. But then again that wouldn’t be a bad thing.</p>
<p>MotoringFile is just delivering the punches today, isn’t it? I’m getting scared to check the site for fear of a “Ro-Ro carrier with 10,000 MINIs sinks on the way to California” news… (yes, I’m waiting patiently for a car to arrive)</p>
<p>Sad news for sure. I still see the R60 and the many future variants coming from it just doing one thing, moving the brand to bigger cars. Their parent company Bigger Motor Works knows all about this design concept.</p>
<p>This does not surprise me that much. I think that folks are wanting this smaller MINI to be more like the Mini when it will most likely be more like all the other city cars. The Classic Mini being 120″ and the Toyota IQ Being 116″ you are most likely going to get a car that looks like the IQ, Smart or something similar with an upright seating position. Sure, on this site MANY people, “would buy it,” but MINI USA can’t only go by MotoringFile fan response but they MUST address what the general public wants and it is not expensive city cars that don’t, “look safe,” when almost all of know that the Smart is VERY safe.</p>
<p>Look at SMART car sales. They have been horrible for years. Some blame the Penske group (lack of) marketing, but there is also the American buying habits that come into play.</p>
<p>Look, the Camry is the best selling car for Toyota, not the Corrolla. The Accord outsells the Civic. If the FIAT 500 is a total hit, then MAYBE you’ll see others re-think smaller cars. And if gas gets to $5/gal you will definantly see makers think about smaller cars. But let’s face it: Pick-ups and SUV sales have been growing, and that’s not a good omen for the City car market! Don’t blame MINI, blame the US buyers, and the very low cost of gas here.</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>Hmmm interesting. I was just talking to a MINI mechanic in Canada and he was all excited about being scheduled for training to work on the “smaller MINI” coming up.</p>
<p>BOO</p>
<p>@beken – he probably meant the R58 & R59.</p>
<p>I don’t think the Smart comparison to the City Mini is fair. The Smart has no utility, two grocery bags and you’re done. Gas mileage is disappointing in the 30s and the transmission has been a sore subject in all reviews I have read.</p>
<p>I assume the “mini” Mini would be a hatch with a 3-cyl petrol engine and a real manual shifter.</p>
<p>Too bad I was looking forward to Geneva. If it’s home run I’ll be even more sad. 500 Abarth anyone?</p>
<p>The MINI city car will come to the US – when gas is over $5/gallon. Until then the market for it will not be big enough to justify it.</p>
<p>Well, so much for my next car. I was really excited about getting a MINI again instead of a Fiat.</p>
<p>By the time MINI changes their mind they will likely be playing catch up to the numbers of manufactures that will have already done this.</p>
<p>…oh, and by the way MINI, this news totally ruins my birthday; thanks a lot (not really, but it does piss me off).</p>
<p>With lots of distance between destinations in USA, a “city car” and a “highway car” need to blend in one “practical car.” MINI’s current line-up fits both city and highway needs. It’s hard to imagine America’s freeways populated with Smart-size cars zipping along at 80 mph. Okay, I can imagine it. But it’s not pretty. American and Other Countries’ driving needs are not the same.</p>
<p>Too Bad no Smaller MINI but glad no bigger versions are planned, at this point, but BMW seems to have a bent for making anything good bigger and spoiling it.</p>
<p>I’ll admit that I probably wouldn’t consider getting anything smaller than my R56 (and that is probably the problem with the US market), but still, I wanted to see this in person, sit in it, and take it for a ride. Where is this thing going to be built, anyway?</p>
<p>What you need to realise first is that for MINI this is an uncharted territory and that the City MINI Concept is purely just a Concept Car for the time being.</p>
<p>Reaction to the car @ Geneva and Shanghai would relate to the overall decision of whether to or not too put the car into production.</p>
<p>But I would like to see MINI succeed in markets with this car where Smart failed.</p>
<p>Not unlike the uncharted area of the R60, still kinda funny that a crossover less uncharted than a city car that likely holds much more historical incidence.</p>
<p>DISLIKE!</p>
<p>E-mail already sent to MINI USA.</p>
<p>What you need to realise first is that for MINI this is an uncharted territory and that the City MINI Concept is purely just a Concept Car for the time being.
Reaction to the car @ Geneva and Shanghai would relate to the overall decision of whether to or not too put the car into production.
But I would like to see MINI succeed in markets with this car where Smart failed.</p>
<p>My reference was between the mini and MINI, The brand. The city concept is uncharted territory for MINI as it is about going smaller than the first MINI.</p>
<p>As for the Countryman the US was vocal in having a MINI with AllWheel Drive , market demands first.</p>
<p>For a niche builder like BMW I am actually surprised in ways that there is so much deep thought about a market such as this. I will never begrudge BMW/MINI taking the time to be more certain about a development, I would have assumed though with the trend of BMW/MINI producing a concept that is so close to production spec that all the market research would have been long done. I do realize that feedback from the automotive journalist and end users can affect this. Still looking forward to seeing what is shown in Geneva.</p>
<p>I may not have any tolerance for a crossover I am sure that a four door MINI has a place, I think however adaptive AWD is 95% just a lump of unneeded mass that people believe with make them invincible during the winter months.</p>
<p>Grumble Grumble… SACRELEGE!!! Destroying the brand… Mumble… German overlords ruining my fine Brittish Automobile…. gripe… gripe.. Shove that “Goodwood” up their boot while they are on “All4″…. 😛
Yes I listen to White Roof Radio… I put smileys to let you know I am joking! B-)</p>
<p>Good to know. I thought I might get back into MINIs, but I guess not!</p>
<p>Learn more next week….</p>
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<p>Learn more next week….</p>
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<p>Tuesday would be a good day.</p>
<p>It certainly would… Have you had your materials sent through yet? Will you be in Geneva this year?</p>