Sections: Sales Oct 10th, 2011 5 Comments 
Official Release: The MINI brand experienced a strong growth of +20.5% in worldwide sales in September. With 30,387 (prev. yr. 25,221) deliveries, the brand reported its best September result ever. A major contributor was the new MINI Countryman which launched just over a year ago and has already been received by over 76,000 customers. continued →
Sections: Events Oct 6th, 2011 7 Comments 
Every year, both MINI corporate and MINI enthusiasts put on a myriad of events both here in The States and around the world. From AMVIV, to The Dragon, to MINIs On Top, to the myriad of other grass roots regional events held around the country each year, chances are there’s something fantastic that will fit either your schedule or your region. Then there are the biannual official events like MINI United and MINI Takes The States that are put on by MINI itself. Both are well worth going out of your way to attend. Next year, 2012, is going to be a near perfect storm of MINI events. We don’t have specific dates or scope for some these events just yet, but here’s what we do know. MINI USA specifically will have its hands full in 2012 being involved in these events: continued →
Sections: MINI Connected, Official News, Technology Oct 6th, 2011 9 Comments 
How appropriate that BMW & MINI are talking about its reliance on apps today. Even more that BMW & MINI are announcing that they’re opening the door for 3rd party development of apps within MINI Connected and BMW Apps. It’s a bold move that enhances the infotainment abilities of these cars even further beyond anything else out there. But ultimately it revolves around safety and taking phones out of people’s hands and putting the content in an automotive grade (ie safer) interface.
What of Android support? We’ve eluded to it coming soon before. Now we have yet more confirmation from BMW. Look for the launch of Android support in 2012.
Official Release: With the introduction of MINI Connected in 2010, the BMW Group became the world’s first carmaker to allow the application-based and extensive integration of the Apple iPhone into its models. Available as an option, MINI Connected links up with a simple USB connection and the MINI Connected App to turn the smartphone into a central interface for infotainment inside, and relating to every aspect of, the car. This technology has provided the launch pad for an all-new in- car infotainment experience. In spring 2011 this interface and app were also made available for BMW vehicles in the form of BMW Apps and BMW Connected. Added to which, the BMW Group has since expanded the app concept to include the internet-based services from BMW Online (available since 2001) and, this summer, also BMW Live. Other compatible apps – and therefore services – from third-party providers can also be integrated into the concept and used in BMW and MINI vehicles. continued →
Sections: MF Feature, Opinion Oct 5th, 2011 12 Comments 
It’s rare when someone affects our lives as much as Stve Jobs has. Whether you have an iPhone in your pocket or not, Steve Jobs has defined our technological present and future more than any one man in the world. And today he passed away at a young 56.
When the iPod Mini was released, Steve said Apple was inspired by the minimalist design of the MINI itself. He thought the MINI was cool because it was small. Less is more was the idea and the iPod Mini delivered on that in a new smaller form-factor. Why does it matter to us? Because here was a man that created the future by looking at what was around him. In this case it was the MINI that inspired his team. In other cases it was the button on a Lecia Camera. Whatever the situation was, Steve took what was right in the world and created something inspired and new. And ultimately something that changed the world in which we live.
Steve and the people at Apple have inspired automakers like MINI and BMW to create in different and distinctive ways. MINI Connected and BMW ConnectedDrive are here (more or less) due to Apple. But you could go further in saying that BMW’s recent gamble and total re-think of it’s brand with BMWi is more inline with Apple’s re-invention (and Steve Job’s mantra of ‘Stay Foolish’) than anything from BMW in its history. And one could make the argument that the closest automotive equivalent to what Apple has done recently is actually the launch of the original Mini in 1959.
In any case, Steve, we will miss you greatly. continued →
Sections: MotoringFile Garage, R60 (Countryman) Oct 5th, 2011 26 Comments 
Three months and 2,500 miles. The Countryman has proven quite popular when it comes to what car to take every morning out of my garage. While my 2004 BMW 3 Series ZHP has that perfect, almost M car feel, the Countryman has been winning out lately as a better commuting choice. Nimble and quick enough while achieving almost 28 mpg in the city recently, it’s hard to argue with the CM as a daily driver. Where it loses out is when I factor in my new BMW 1M (in the middle above). On a sunny dry day with the 1M at my disposal, the Countryman doesn’t stand a chance of getting out of the driveway unless there’s people or things to transport.
Yet the Countryman is a different kind of MINI. One that gets driven more often for different reasons than any before. continued →
Sections: Events, Podcast Oct 4th, 2011 3 Comments 
It’s been far too long since we all got together. Wait a tic, adding Nathaniel to the mix means we never have. That means a party is definitely in order.
Join us Saturday, October 22nd, 2011 at Detroit Tuned for White Roof Radio Live. It was a scheduling nightmare but we’ve lined-up Gabe, Todd, db, Chad, and Nathaniel to record Woofcast 400 and wanted to invite you along for the show. There will be food, drink and some sweet MINIs including the MotorignFile Countryman and Gabe’s new BMW 1M. Plus, there are rumors of a Coupe or two — one of them getting some killer stripes from Todd! continued →
Sections: Official News, Sales Oct 4th, 2011 17 Comments 
MINI USA continues to struggle with getting cars on the lots of dealers around the country as sales are once again down. A quick check at a few dealers indicated low numbers on the lots and high demand for the Countryman. Speaking of the Countryman, it’s getting closer to the R56 hatch in terms of sales. As you can see past the break, it’s only 600 unit behind. It had been over a thousand for the past few months. Will we ever see it surpass the R56? As we’ve previously predicted, don’t be surprised to see it on the top spot this winter.
Official Release: MINI USA reported sales of 3,999 automobiles in September. The September 2011 sales are down 18.1% from the 4,884 sold in September, 2010.
(Click through for the full sales break down) continued →
Copyright © 2002-2011 AutoFi Media
