GM To Go Head-To-Head Against MINI?
Word ’round the internet campfire is that GM is seriously considering a premium hatch aimed directly at the MINI. LeftLaneNews is reporting that a project, dubbed “fun and fashion”, is being headed by GM’s Korean divisions and will likely wear either an Opel or Vauxhall badge (or both).
Although most of the ‘fun and fashion’ project is being handled by GM’s Asian division, GM DAT boss Mike Arcamone confirmed to Autocar that Opel engineers will have some input on the project, indicating the MINI rival will be sold under the Opel/Vauxhall banners. Given most Opels eventually wind up as Buicks, it’s possible the hatch could eventually be sold in the U.S.
No word on what engine might power the new model, but GM’s new 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder is certainly a leading candidate. Look for GM’s MINI rival to hit the market sometime in 2013.
Should MINI and BMW be shaking in their rather stylish boots? We think not. GM’s ability to really do premium anything is highly suspect in this writer’s opinion. Let alone beating MINI at their own game, and ten years into the premium small car market at that. Could the world’s largest, most boring automaker be able to top MINI on performance, economy or charm? Perhaps in some aspects, but unlikely in all three. I say that because GM is precisely in the business of making cars for the masses. MINI, on the other hand, is defiantly not for everyone. What do you think? Does GM have a chance in MINI’s sandbox?
<p>If you say Opel or Vauxhall, it is more than likely Opel <em>and</em> Vauxhall. They are mostly the same cars, with the Vauxhall brand being used in the UK and the Opel brand in the rest of Europe. A car being available <em>only</em> as Vauxhall or Opel is extremely rare.</p>
<p>I doubt very much that GM’s corporate culture will allow them to build a small car as anything other than a cheap car.</p>
<p>The last GM product I owned (purchased new) was such a POS that the ABS get me into 2 accidents. They allowed me to run numerous red lights and cruise through several stop signs. The way that the Corporation dealt with the issue was despicable. Now, the Koreans are going to produced a Sporty Hatch for GM?!! HA. The attorneys, ambulance companies, etc. will love them!!</p>
<p>If or when GM would ever build a Mini competitor, at least the drive to the numerous local GM dealers for service would be a maximum of 10 minutes versus the three hour trek (after ten years) to our only “local” Mini dealer.</p>
<p>“Should MINI and BMW be shaking in their rather stylish boots? We think not.”</p>
<p>Competition is good.</p>
<p>If Mini really want to go head to head with GM they will indeed have to put in more dealerships!</p>
<p>To Shiller has it right, I now spend 1 hour on our ferry system, plus an hour of driving to get to my dealership, then I must do the same to get back home. Then if the Dealership says that the problem is all in my head then the drive was for naught; very frustrating. Does not look like they want to sell cars. Honda is light years ahead in sales and marketing.</p>
<p>Hey, but GM did post a $2Billion dollar gain in the 3rd quarter. I guess government bailouts do have their advantages.</p>
<p>This Mini elitist POV bothers me. The Mini sandbox is not entirely filled with class leading performance, design, or excitement. Recently I was given a new 2010 Cooper (automatic, non S) as a loaner car while my R53 was in for service. This was one disappointingly dull driving experience–one that leads me to believe that GM (and other manufacturers) can play in the same sandbox as Mini. Let the flaming begin…</p>
<p>Being a former GM fanboy, I think not. A premium small car does not fit the GM culture. I walked away from GM cars in discust (after my previous and last GM car I will ever buy) and bought a MINI. What an eye opener on not just car quality, but customer service.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine putting an Aveo dressed as an Opel abnd then a Buick up against a MINI.</p>
<p>In Australia these are rebadged as “Holden” the “great” Aussie car maker who have an alliance with GM.
Competitor? Hmmmmph. Vauxhall tried to out muscle classic Mini with the Vauxhall Viva see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Viva" rel="nofollow ugc">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vauxhall_Viva</a>
The only time they came close is when they adopted a Brabham moniker (after an alliance with Sir Jack Brabham the Australian Formula 1 Grand Prix driver).
I can’t think of a half-decent Vauxhall or Opel that would even come close to a MINI or Mini.
Shakespeare’s Juliet said “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, By any other name would smell as sweet.”</p>
<p>GM is simply incapable of such a mythical automobile.</p>
<p>While they can certainly build small cars that undercut the MINI’s price point by thousands of dollars, said car would not have any of the soul, character, handling prowess, customization ability, fun-to-drive quotient or build quality that any MINI (by nature) possesses.</p>
<p>I say go ahead and try, but am I worried in the least? Heck no…</p>
<p>Now, if VW said the same statement, I’d be worried. They could pull it off. The A1 from Audi, (some might say), is their answer to the MINI, but being badged an Audi still might keep it from being cross-shopped with the MINI. If it were a more approachable marque like the people’s car (VW), it may be more effective.</p>
<p>I can only believe that Government Motors (GM) will only come to the MINI sandbox with a Hummer 5. I wonder if their proposed MINI-Killer will have more cheap plastic parts than a H2. LOL</p>
<p>Wonder if my GM will have the same cold start rattle as my 07 MCS did. I have a GM Silverado. Dealer is right down the street. In 68k miles, in one time for gas cap leak. Don’t ask me how many times i drove from Akron Ohio to Columbus to have the 07 MCS looked at for the cold start rattle, exhaust recall, intake leak, dash rattle, rattle in passenger seat belt, etc. Might not be bad for some competition.</p>
<p>Minis are cool, don’t get me wrong, but there is a reason they are at the bottom of the JD Power charts for trouble free miles!! GM was ahead of them!</p>
<p>Did you all forget this article by Motoringfile?</p>
<p>Check out Chevrolet vs Mini.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/06/23/mini-comes-in-last-in-jd-power-quality-survey/" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/06/23/mini-comes-in-last-in-jd-power-quality-survey/</a></p>
<p>Check out Cadillac vs. BMW</p>
<p><a href="https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/06/23/mini-comes-in-last-in-jd-power-quality-survey/" rel="ugc">https://www.motoringfile.com/2009/06/23/mini-comes-in-last-in-jd-power-quality-survey/</a></p>
<p>Government Motors simply cannot compete in the same space as BMW, Audi, and Volkswagen. MINI’s are unique enough that any attempts to create a car that mimics the MINI style or feeling has fallen flat. That’s not to say the MINI doesn’t have competitors, but it is still a one of a kind car. BMW execs can laugh at GM and their pathetic attempts at car building.</p>
<p>Reliable American cars haven’t existed for decades.</p>
<p>To those who are blindly bashing GM:</p>
<p>Go have a good look at the new CTS, Regal, LaCrosse, Terrain, Equinox, and Cruze, and tell me that GM can’t build a more than decent quality vehicle. I’ve driven these vehicles, and I’m very impressed at how the quality has improved over the old, terrible vehicles in GM’s past (Cavalier, Sunfire, Century, Grand Am, Alero, etc.).</p>
<p>And as far as power is concerned, look at the 2.0L Ecotec turbo. 260bhp and 260lb-ft of torque from stock is quite good; 290bhp and 340lb-ft of torque with the GM Performance kit is downright insane! And the Ecotec engine is bulletproof.</p>
<p>That’s why I say, if GM can put a good chassis together with the 2.0L Ecotec in a premium small car, MINI should really be watching their rear-view mirrors carefully.</p>
<p>But that’s just my lowly opinion….</p>
<p>The more “competition” the better. It can only make MINI better. Still waiting to see how the Fiat 500 Abarth turns out for Chrysler here in the US.</p>
<p>Fiat 500 Abarth SS is coming and worth a look at least.</p>
<p>Bob took the words out of my mouth. The Fiat 500 looks sick. I think it’ll definetely have a look by the same crowd looking at mini’s</p>
<p>GM can build a very reliable car. My MINI, which I love, doesn’t really have what I would call a high quality interior.</p>
<p>What invariably happens at GM, though, is that a few executives drive early demos around detroit, then go back and complain about the ride being horrible, and demand it to be ‘fixed’. And then you get the horrible ride heights and stances of most GM products.</p>
<p>The other, main, issue is that no one will pay MINI prices for a small car with a GM badge. So when they price it accordingly, it will be viewed as just another cheap GM car.</p>
<p>Its funny about people mentioning that their GM’s are suchs a POS….</p>
<p>Well i have one, through a series of unfortunate circumstances i had to get rid of my r53, I bought a GMC sierra in January and has been in the shop over a month. Its the biggest POS i have ever driven and on Friday i got my settlement check from GM through the lemon law.</p>
<p>@2008R56S- the 07-10 minis are a piece of garbage, they are the cheapest feeling cars and IMHO a disgrace to mini. I had the same experience like you did except i got an S when my R53 was in the shop. Needless to say i ran back to her with open arms. I thought i could never own a mini again because what they did to them.</p>
<p>Let me be the one to say that i drove the new 11 clubman and cooper s on Thursday and LOVED what mini did with the refresh! nothing is cheap, everything is quality and the clutch and shifter reminded me much of an Audi (i think maybe better =)…Needless to say circumstances of changed and i am placing an order for a MC Clubman S tomorrow afternoon =)</p>
<p>GM will never build a quality car again, especially after the bankruptcy. This next month is going to go so slow waiting in suspense of “Alyssa”</p>
<p>its going to feel good being back in the community!</p>
<p>Look out. New models from Chevy, Buick and Cadillac are impressive and with 100k powertrain warranties. The Chevy Cruze may not be a direct threat to MINI but it’s a pretty impressive package for the money. GM is in do or die mode. I seem to remember everyone thinking Japanese cars were a joke before the ’73 Oil Embargo. GM was on top then. Today, GM is recovering with great global products so it’s not a good idea to rest on one’s laurels and poo poo the competition. With GM going public at $33+ and already paying back 2/3 of their bail out, it’s a pretty good sign they are doing something right. Finally. That said, I still love the MINI brand and BMW quality. It’s still unique, being a premium brand. They just need to remain competitive and not dismiss the likes of GM.</p>
<p>Wasn’t the corvair built as a “small car to be competitive against european sportscars?” yet it had to seat six, and it had to sell in high volume.
This could be a disaster.
Or we can see if the old GM, and the new GM are truly different!</p>
<p>chris harte;</p>
<p>You took the words out of my mouth. the corvair was an excellent example of gm corporate structure then, jhopefulluy they have learned or do not repeat history. however gm has also in the past given us the saturn and the first generations of these gavce us impressive quality. The last generation not much so. Like so many other things, when I buy another vehicle I hope it to be mini, but depending on my economic situation, I could find myself in a gm(hopefully) not!!!</p>