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Looks like the prospect of leasing an electric MINI is an attractive one for more people than MINI expected. (via Automotive News)
>Mini USA is taking longer than expected to select 450 lessees for its electric car because of the deluge of about 1,800 applicants.
>Mini USA has whittled the applicant list to about 1,000 people. Applications are being vetted by 16 dealers — five in New York, three in New Jersey and eight in Los Angeles. The dealers will lease and service the cars during the trial, said Jim McDowell, vice president of Mini USA.
>”We have to make sure their driving style fits with what we want,” he said. “If you drive 200 miles a day, that’s a longer daily drive than our range.”
>Mini also required applicants to have a lockable garage so the company can install an electrical charge box. The monthly lease for a Mini E is $850.
+ Mini electric test delayed by surge of applicants / Automotive News
<p>Good way to extend the PR coverage ;)</p>
<p>Hey, P.T. Barnum was so right….</p>
<p>Hmmm… reads like it is easier to adopt a child than lease an electric Mini. Are Brad and Angelina on the short list?</p>
<p>$850 a MONTH! Holy crap!</p>
<p>and, I told them they could use my dart board, too!</p>
<p>This doesn’t smell right… Run the ficas, rank them and offer in order! What’s the big deal?</p>
<p>Anyway, better too many than too few…</p>
<p>Matt</p>
<p>The demand is not the issue. We haven’t actually built any more Mini Es since the first batch so….no wonder we’ll not be able to meet demand! Duh! Lol</p>
<p>Glorified golf cart anyone?</p>
<p>I am slack jawed over the number of morons in this country who will stop at nothing to be PC. We are doomed.</p>
<p>well i’m glad that the Mini E is being delayed to a surge in demand and that it has nothing to do with a ridiculous lease rate</p>
<blockquote>I am slack jawed over the number of morons in this country who will stop at nothing to be PC. We are doomed.</blockquote>
<p>Have no fear. 1800/300,000,000 is very close to zero.</p>
<p>Umm… Excel has a tool called “create pivot table.” I’m confident this will quickly help you identify the right lessees from your “deluge” of applicants.</p>
<p>Hat tip to MINI’s marketing organization. Way to turn an internal execution delay into a positive message!</p>
<p>Probably part of the screening process is to make sure that you not only have a house with a garage, but also to ensure that you live in the right neighborhood.</p>
<p>I am sure MINI marketing does not want these electric golf carts to show up in the inner city or the ghetto..</p>
<blockquote>Hat tip to MINI’s marketing organization. Way to turn an internal execution delay into a positive message!</blockquote>
<p>Haha, ditto! That’s the first thing I thought of when I saw this post… Especially after reading Billy’s response! Wonder why they haven’t built more…?</p>