MINI and Alfa Romeo nearing agreement? You what?

[homeforsummer]

Found on CarKeys:

The BMW and Fiat Groups have signed a memorandum of understanding which could lead to close co-operation between the two automotive giants relating to their MINI and Alfa Romeo brands.

Neither party is giving away any details at the moment, but there is talk of "the possibility of co-operation in the areas of architectures and components", which would suggest sharing platforms and engines at some point in the future.

Discussions are under way, and it's expected that they will lead to a more detailed announcement towards the end of this year.

On another note, BMW is also looking into the possibility of electric vehicles, and is preparing "several hundred" MINIs for the purpose. The cars are built in Oxford but will be transferred to Munich for modification; tests will then be carried out over the next year to 18 months, though BMW expects to issue more information about the project well before the test programme has been completed.

Did I miss something? Since when were BMW and Alfa planning to co-operate? Is it too early for me to get excited imagining beautiful Alfas that handle as well as BMWs? Or is it just going to be something disappointing like the Mini and small Alfas sharing engines...

 

[Joey D]

From what I've been told they will sharing the new, upcoming platform. Basically the next generation MINI Cooper will be the same as a similar version Fiat (probably 500) and Alfa (probably the MiTo). Alfa will also be using the MINI dealer network in the states as a means to sell and service their vehicles.

Source: Autoblog, Link

MINI dealers to sell Alfa Romeos in the U.S.
As reported earlier, BMW and Fiat will be teaming up on a new front-wheel-drive, small car platform that will underpin the next MINI and future Fiats and Alfa Romeos. Now comes word from Automotive News that the partnership will also include the two automakers collaborating on Alfa Romeo's return to the States in 2010 and the introduction of a new model, code-named "project 940."

Fiat's statement included the line, "as part of a possible cooperation, BMW Group will provide Fiat Group Automobiles with support in launching the Alfa Romeo brand in the North American market." Furthermore, a Fiat spokesperson told AN, "MINI U.S. dealers would have the possibility to also sell Alfa Romeo cars."

Alfa's return to the U.S. has been compared to the resurrection of MINI a few years back, and if Fiat can use the same nostalgia-laced branding, innovative ad campaigns and funky dealer experience, it will have a serious chance at success in the U.S. market.

And about the team up. Link.

BMW and Fiat teaming up for new small car platform
Fiat wants to become the platform-sharing kings of Europe, and with deals with Tata, Suzuki, Ford, and PSA, the Italian automaker is well on its way. Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne told Automotive News Europe that another cooperation would be announced tomorrow, but details were scarce. Suppliers in the know are saying that a new deal is imminent to share the next generation Punto platform with BMW. The platform would be used to underpin the third generation MINI, which would help keep BMW engineers out of the FWD business and cut costs for Fiat at the same time. Fiat has been trying to produce a competitor to the popular MINI Cooper, and now it appears the Italian automaker will be working with an even playing field when it comes to platforms.

I don't know if they will be using the same engines, but MINI already uses Peugeot engines in their cars and I don't know how worldly they are going to get.

On the subject of the electric MINI's we are getting 500 in the states, well ok California will be getting 500 of them at $57,000 a pop as far I've been told. I don't even know if they are R50 or R56 models. Link.

BMW plans 500 Electric MINIs for California
BMW's MINI brand already produces some of the most efficient vehicles for sale in the US, and sources say the pint-sized cars will soon go emissions free, at least in California. BMW is planning to lease 490 Minis in California, with an additional 10 vehicles planned for show car duty. The emissions-free MINIs will be silver with a yellow roof, which should stand out nicely in the land of fruits and nuts.

There are no details at this point pertaining to EV range or date of availability, but BMW claims it will make an announcement regarding electric vehicles later in the year. With all the talk of game-changing vehicles coming in the near future, we're getting the feeling that the upcoming auto show season could be one of the more memorable on record.

However, MINI and BMW seem to be getting some flak from the green-squad and there is a petition to get more electric MINI's in the states. Link.

Want to see electric MINIs in your state? Sign the petition.
Awesome! BMW will be converting MINI's from gas to electric drive! Oh, wait... the vehicles sill be sold only in California? And the number is capped at five-hundred regardless of how many people actually want one? Yes, and that is not awesome. For this reason, a man by the name of Mike S. has created an online petition begging BMW to offer more of them for sale at a price of $35K or less. A worthwhile goal for sure, though one we can't imagine actually happening as a result of the support of a few hundred EV devotees.

So far, there are nearly one-hundred-fifty signatures, with many of the signers suggesting that they would purchase them if available. Honestly, this kind of thing happens regularly, and many of those who say they will make the purchase simply don't for any number of reasons. Still, the idea of a small electric vehicle backed by A BMW warranty and service department is a very exciting prospect. Maybe it's worth a signature after all.

 

[homeforsummer]

Woah, cheers for all that! 👍

I'm intrigued by the deadly rivals of Fiat 500 and MINI potentially using the same platform at some point in the future in their next generations.

But still, the sky's the limit with platform sharing so if this deal goes well I'm holding out for that RWD Alfa...

 

[Joey D]

Woah, cheers for all that! 👍

I'm intrigued by the deadly rivals of Fiat 500 and MINI potentially using the same platform at some point in the future in their next generations.

But still, the sky's the limit with platform sharing so if this deal goes well I'm holding out for that RWD Alfa...

No problem, I'm sure you are aware of my MINI geek-ness. Plus this information has been all over North American Motoring (a huge MINI forum).

And hey if there is a RWD Alfa in the works maybe there will be a RWD MINI spin off, something like the Marcos just not as ugly. I know they've talked about a MINI Cooper Coupe.

It would be interesting to see the 500 and the Cooper share the same platform, but who knows. I don't know enough about supermini's in Europe to know where it would fall in class.

 

[homeforsummer]

And hey if there is a RWD Alfa in the works maybe there will be a RWD MINI spin off, something like the Marcos just not as ugly. I know they've talked about a MINI Cooper Coupe.

It would be interesting to see the 500 and the Cooper share the same platform, but who knows. I don't know enough about supermini's in Europe to know where it would fall in class.

The Mini Marcos was FWD far as I know, but so many companies made RWD and mid engined cars based on the Mini running gear, the best of which probably being the pretty Cox GTM:

The Midas was also a popular FWD Mini-based car, which got backing and even technical help from a certain Gordon Murray. So yeah a Mini-based coupe would be brilliant if it had the right styling. Don't forget also that Fiat have a history of their cars being turned into searing little coupes by the likes of Abarth.

The 500 and MINI are basically direct competitors in Europe, though the Fiat is slightly cheaper, but then model-for-model the prices are fairly similar. At the moment, before the Abarth arrives the top 500 is a 1.4 with around 100bhp, which is more or less a rival for the bottom range Mini One 1.4, at least in the UK. The Fiat currently uses the platform from the Fiat Panda, which is actually quite a versatile platform, as there's a 4x4 Panda model, which means a 4WD 500 isn't out of the question. Doubt they'll make one though.

 

[YSSMAN]

Veerry interesting...

I'll admit that I did a bit of a [facepalm] when plans first began to move forward with Alfa (and FIAT?) showing up in Maserati dealers before going anywhere else. Signing this agreement, attaching them to BMW/MINI seems like a far more logical step towards a decent effort in the US Market. Furthermore, it is very exciting to be thinking about a German-engineered Italian car.

But hey... If this means I can get a Mi.To or a 500 in the very near future, I'm very excited indeed!

 

[Joey D]

The Mini Marcos was FWD far as I know, but so many companies made RWD and mid engined cars based on the Mini running gear, the best of which probably being the pretty Cox GTM:

Maybe that's what I was thinking of. I don't know. I knew there were Mini-esque RWD cars floating around I just couldn't think of the name of them.

The 500 and MINI are basically direct competitors in Europe, though the Fiat is slightly cheaper, but then model-for-model the prices are fairly similar. At the moment, before the Abarth arrives the top 500 is a 1.4 with around 100bhp, which is more or less a rival for the bottom range Mini One 1.4, at least in the UK. The Fiat currently uses the platform from the Fiat Panda, which is actually quite a versatile platform, as there's a 4x4 Panda model, which means a 4WD 500 isn't out of the question. Doubt they'll make one though.

There has been a rumour of an AWD MINI Cooper S for quite a while now and I think you will see one sooner rather than later. If MINI does that then I'm willing to bet you'll see an AWD 500.

 

[homeforsummer]

There has been a rumour of an AWD MINI Cooper S for quite a while now and I think you will see one sooner rather than later. If MINI does that then I'm willing to bet you'll see an AWD 500.

I guess so, as I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to engineer with the Panda chassis already having a 4x4 variant. Maybe if they make an estate car variant along the lines of the old Giardiniera (at which point I checked on Google for a pic of the original and came up with renders of the potential new version) then it could be offered with AWD

Fiat 500 Giardiniera render:

I was wondering too, with the MINI in the States, is there a model below the normal Cooper? And also, how much relevance does the car have to the original Issigonis Mini? I remember reading at one point that only 5% of Americans have even heard of the original Mini. So branding every model "Cooper" seems even more of a marketing excercise than it is in Europe!

At least with the first new MINI John Cooper and latterly Mike Cooper were consulted when the model was being developed, and in the UK (not sure about elsewhere) John Cooper Garages designed a tune-up kit for the car to make it a "real" Cooper.

 

[YSSMAN]

Our lowest model in the MINI lineup is the Cooper, we've gone without the MINI One from the very start. There has been talk that they'd add the Cooper Diesel, but I haven't heard much from them on the subject as of late.

 

[homeforsummer]

Diesel is still a dirty word in the States it seems.

It's a pity that you don't have a model below the Cooper really, the name really must mean absolutely nothing if the supposedly sporty model is the base model.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Diesel is still a dirty word in the States it seems.

It's a pity that you don't have a model below the Cooper really, the name really must mean absolutely nothing if the supposedly sporty model is the base model.

The sporty model is the Cooper S.

 

[V1P3R]

Could be interesting.

 

[Joey D]

I was wondering too, with the MINI in the States, is there a model below the normal Cooper?

The Cooper is the lowest model we in the US get, by Canada gets the "classic" which is basically just the Cooper with no options at all. Think it as the value edition but it still has the 1.6L in it. There has been talk of the One coming here but I don't think it would sell, the horsepower rating it to low on it. The diesel is slated to come though probably in 2010.

And also, how much relevance does the car have to the original Issigonis Mini? I remember reading at one point that only 5% of Americans have even heard of the original Mini. So branding every model "Cooper" seems even more of a marketing excercise than it is in Europe!

Everywhere I go people talk to me about my car because they are fairly rare here in the states. I wouldn't be surprised if they knew nothing about the Mini. The MINI's though are promoted quite heavily at the motor shows we have and in Detroit they have one of the coolest exhibits and often give away the coolest stuff. I went on press day this year and I got the DVD of the Clubman, plus posters, a pen, and other fun things.

The classic Mini isn't technically road legal here as far as I know due to some emissions thing. I know we got about 10,000 of them between 1960 and 1967 although very few survived since they tended to rust pretty bad. People still import them from Australia and New Zealand, but since the newer ones that are imported aren't exempt from the emissions they aren't road legal. However, many people find old rusted Mini's and take the VIN's off putting them on the new imported cars and use the Theseus' paradox to make them legal. There are two or three in my area and the owners are very nice. One of them even took me for a ride in his at a British Car meet.

At least with the first new MINI John Cooper and latterly Mike Cooper were consulted when the model was being developed, and in the UK (not sure about elsewhere) John Cooper Garages designed a tune-up kit for the car to make it a "real" Cooper.

We get John Cooper Works parts here in the states and you can order them through one of a dozen websites or through the dealer. I'm thinking about ordering a JCW black grille for my car here shortly. Also we are getting the new JCW MINI which many people have on order. I don't know if anyone has taken delivery of it yet or not.

The sporty model is the Cooper S.

Technically the sporty model is the John Cooper Works one now, although it costs a fortune. It starts at just under $30k. Now don't get me wrong, I love the MINI but that's even to rich for my tastes when I could easily have an equally as fun 3-series or to a lesser extent 1-series for that price at the dealer next door.

 

[YSSMAN]

The Cooper is the lowest model we in the US get, by Canada gets the "classic" which is basically just the Cooper with no options at all. Think it as the value edition but it still has the 1.6L in it. There has been talk of the One coming here but I don't think it would sell, the horsepower rating it to low on it. The diesel is slated to come though probably in 2010.

Interesting!

I'd be under the impression that a "stripped-out" Cooper would still do fairly well here. I know I could survive with crank windows, no fancy traction control, etc. But, that being said, the One seems like a reasonable alternative, and I'd love to see it come by. Lower power or not, its not going to be the slowest car on the road by any means, and with the improved fuel mileage, I think you'd see even more people willing to jump in.

The classic Mini isn't technically road legal here as far as I know due to some emissions thing. I know we got about 10,000 of them between 1960 and 1967 although very few survived since they tended to rust pretty bad. People still import them from Australia and New Zealand, but since the newer ones that are imported aren't exempt from the emissions they aren't road legal.

Hmmm, I'm not too sure about that. There are quite a few classic Mini models around here, and there is actually a service shop that is completely dedicated to the Mini and other MG products as well. A guy down the street from my father buys and restores old Minis, and at one point, I had nearly considered buying the one he had for sale in the front yard. Problem is, I don't fit all that well in them, and I can't say it would be the best daily-driver either...

 

[Joey D]

Interesting!

I'd be under the impression that a "stripped-out" Cooper would still do fairly well here. I know I could survive with crank windows, no fancy traction control, etc. But, that being said, the One seems like a reasonable alternative, and I'd love to see it come by. Lower power or not, its not going to be the slowest car on the road by any means, and with the improved fuel mileage, I think you'd see even more people willing to jump in.

I really don't know what the Classic offers, it's got two options, an auto trans and the convenience package which includes front and rear fog lamps and heated seats. It appears to just be the base Cooper you would get from the factory with no frills attached, but I don't know.

The One can be had with any number of options on it, just with the 1.4L engine instead of the 1.6. People are already under the impression the MINI is a slow car (it's not) and therefore not sporty (it really is) at least here in America. The less powerful 1.4 One probably would hurt the image of the brand, at least in the states.

Hmmm, I'm not too sure about that. There are quite a few classic Mini models around here, and there is actually a service shop that is completely dedicated to the Mini and other MG products as well. A guy down the street from my father buys and restores old Minis, and at one point, I had nearly considered buying the one he had for sale in the front yard. Problem is, I don't fit all that well in them, and I can't say it would be the best daily-driver either...

I just going by what I've been told on North American Motoring, and as I've said they can be made road legal by putting a VIN from the 60's on the car since they are exempt from the emissions laws.

I want a classic Mini, I think it would be a fun car to own and I would probably have it painted to match my car now. I'm not actively search for a project car but if one comes along for the right price I'll probably get it...at least if a Datsun 510 doesn't come along first.

 

[Jim Prower]

Diesel is still a dirty word in the States it seems.

It's a pity that you don't have a model below the Cooper really, the name really must mean absolutely nothing if the supposedly sporty model is the base model.

Now, I personally am not against Diseasels, but most of the U.S. seems to have the Bill and Ben Mentality.

As for Sub-Cooper model, well on one hand, BMW may not want to cheapen the Mini brand, keeping it a premium marque. We also will not tolerate the Mini ONE. We seem to dislike cars with less than 100HP.

 

[homeforsummer]

The One can be had with any number of options on it, just with the 1.4L engine instead of the 1.6. People are already under the impression the MINI is a slow car (it's not) and therefore not sporty (it really is) at least here in America. The less powerful 1.4 One probably would hurt the image of the brand, at least in the states.

That's an interesting point actually, that could well explain why the One isn't sold.

As for Sub-Cooper model, well on one hand, BMW may not want to cheapen the Mini brand, keeping it a premium marque. We also will not tolerate the Mini ONE. We seem to dislike cars with less than 100HP.

Again, yeah that adds to the above, it's a good point 👍

I'm not in the position to afford a MINI at all at the moment, and I'm not keen on the current model, I preferred the first new MINI, the styling of the current one looks a bit "Chinese copy" to me. If I did get one of the MINIs it would have to be a Cooper and I'd certainly try and get official JCW bits for it, I've driven one of the Cooper Challenge race cars and the extra power and fab noise are definitely worth the extra expense.

 

[Joey D]

I'm not in the position to afford a MINI at all at the moment, and I'm not keen on the current model, I preferred the first new MINI, the styling of the current one looks a bit "Chinese copy" to me. If I did get one of the MINIs it would have to be a Cooper and I'd certainly try and get official JCW bits for it, I've driven one of the Cooper Challenge race cars and the extra power and fab noise are definitely worth the extra expense.

I'll freely admit I drive a goofy looking car, it looks like a dog. I do prefer the styling of the first generation MINI to the second generation one I have. However the interior on the newer one is a lot nicer and laid out better. I also doesn't feel as cheap, although the gigantic speedo is a bit ridiculous.

I'm working on getting JCW parts for mine although the non-S Cooper sort of gets overlooked with go fast goodies. The suspension and brakes are there though and that is what I'm mostly concerned about. The car is fast enough for what I do, but some nice handling bits would be awesome.

Did you drive the newer Challenge or the older one?

 

[homeforsummer]

I'll freely admit I drive a goofy looking car, it looks like a dog. I do prefer the styling of the first generation MINI to the second generation one I have. However the interior on the newer one is a lot nicer and laid out better. I also doesn't feel as cheap, although the gigantic speedo is a bit ridiculous.

I'm working on getting JCW parts for mine although the non-S Cooper sort of gets overlooked with go fast goodies. The suspension and brakes are there though and that is what I'm mostly concerned about. The car is fast enough for what I do, but some nice handling bits would be awesome.

Did you drive the newer Challenge or the older one?

The interior on the newer one is nicer, I agree, though I didn't mind the old one either. Still had really nice touches like the chrome toggle switches. It was better after the semi-update too when they introduced the three-spoke steering wheel.

The non-S model does get overlooked as far as official bits go, especially with the current model. At least the official JCW bits were officially demoed on the normal Cooper early on in it's development.

The challenge car I drove was the non-S original model. 140bhp up from 115, semi-slick tyres, uprated suspension, corbeau seats and a roll cage! Great fun.

 

[Joey D]

Some more MINI news. Looks like there will be more platform sharing across the group now. Also a bit more on the electric MINI's due for the states.

A bigger MINI to be based on Fiat platform?
We're not sure that a bigger MINI Cooper is exactly what the buying public at large has been waiting for, but it is exactly what they might get. We would certainly hope that the small-size MINI would remain in the line, though that would certainly negate whatever savings BMW is hoping for by collaborating with Fiat on the project in the first place. Fiat will be using the platform for the next Grande Punto, due in 2011. MINI would not use the platform until 2012 at the earliest, followed up by Alfa Romeo's planned MiTo successor a year later. Also on the docket is a new Fiat-sourced 1.6L four-banger, which would be the third 1.6L engine used by BMW for the MINI in as many platforms.

It sounds as if BMW would like to save a few million euros in the development cost of the next MINI so it can continue building its larger rear-wheel drive passenger cars and *ugh* sports activity vehicles. What's more, the expected costs to hit future targeted fuel economy standards are rather staggering. This being the case, despite the huge sales potential of the MINI brand, it could well be playing second fiddle to the larger machines from its parent company in this case.

And the bit about the electric ones.

Electric MINI will be in US customer hands in summer 2009!
At a breakfast meeting with MINI USA VP Jim McDowell this morning he was asked to elaborate on recently announced plans for a battery powered MINI. McDowell acknowledged that the US branch was caught somewhat by surprise with the announcement. Plans have not been finalized at this point as to whether the cars will be leased or sold, or how many will be built. What McDowell did say for certain is that electric MINIs will be on the road in the hands of regular customers in the summer of 2009, one year from now. He could not say if all those customers would be in California or if they would be made available nationwide. No specifications such as range are available at this time either.

 

[YSSMAN]

The electric MINI seems like a good way to win over more customers, but I really can't see them being too popular outside of the big cities on the coasts. As for the bigger, newer model, its not much of a surprise either. Considering a "bigger" MINI would likely result in something Civic-sized, my guess is that BMW will be happy to take the car in that kind of direction to once again attack the average family in middle America. That is, if there is a dealer nearby...

 

[homeforsummer]

Electric MINI?

"And, with one fell swoop, they killed off the Mini's character... forever"

I can't even imagine a MINI without a fruity little engine. I'm all for progress... and certainly all for cutting emissions/being green, but something about the idea of an electric MINI makes me die a little inside...

That sound? Oh that's just Issigonis and John Cooper rotating in their graves...

 

[Joey D]

The electric MINI's are both good and bad. Good because they will pave the way for alternative energy in a fun car. Sure it's not the best candidate but it shows engineers are thinking. The bad is that it was bring a bunch of pretentious asshats that think they are awesome because they own an electric car to the brand...something MINI enthusiast do not want.

The diesel version is currently being worked to be 50 state emission legal. Autoblog Green did a review on it recently. It gets 47mpg and is still sort of fun.

MINIs in very tight supply, diesel on the way
It looks like it will be even harder to get your hands on a MINI Cooper than ever before. Sales of the diminutive little hatch have been hot so far this year, as MINI had just a four day supply of unsold vehicles on hand at the close of June. This month, supply is even tighter with just one day's supply available. Unfortunately, the manufacturing plant in England is at full capacity, so there is no real way to increase supply. Therefore, if you are looking to get your mitts on either of the current gas-powered models, you'd better get your name on whatever list your dealer can offer. Those who want an electric MINI should certainly do the same.

In much more exciting and favorable news, we hear that BMW is seriously considering offering the diesel version of the urban car on U.S. soil. First, though, the automaker needs to produce a model of the vehicle is is legal for sale in all fifty states. Based on our driving impressions, especially considering the 47 miles per gallon we achieved with it, that day can't come soon enough!

Also it looks like MINI's are selling like hotcakes in the states, you can no longer get an 08 model as they are all sold out. 09's won't be shipping for a couple months yet.

No new MINIs for '08? Manufacturers tapped, dealers sold out
If you were planning on hitting one of the 82 U.S. MINI dealers to get your hands on a fuel-efficient Cooper or Clubman, it looks like you'll need to look at plan B. Skyrocketing fuel prices has lifted demand of the little British icons to the point that, with the except of pre-orders, all 2008 models are pretty much sold out. The MINI's cute looks and thrifty petrol-sipping discipline have made the retro hatch more attractive than ever. Year over year sales increases of 39%, 52%, and 24% from April-June have all but wiped clean the MINI's already tight inventory.

Although sales really picked up in April, the MINI has been on fire all year, as the 26,400 MINIs sold in the first half of 2008 represents a 33.6% increase over the same sales period in 2007. And thanks to the MINI's already tight world-wide demand, the BMW-owned automaker can only up US shipments by 2-3k units for the rest of the year.

Team MINI wants to keep its new-found fortune coming, too, as it plans to increase its dealer count to 95 stores by 2011. The British automaker will also introduce a diesel MINI once it can pass emissions in all 50 states.

 

[homeforsummer]

The electric MINI's are both good and bad. Good because they will pave the way for alternative energy in a fun car. Sure it's not the best candidate but it shows engineers are thinking. The bad is that it was bring a bunch of pretentious asshats that think they are awesome because they own an electric car to the brand...something MINI enthusiast do not want.

Agreed. The bunch of pretentious pillocks who own Priuses will migrate to the Mini (didn't mean for all that alliteration in there!)

The diesel version is currently being worked to be 50 state emission legal. Autoblog Green did a review on it recently. It gets 47mpg and is still sort of fun.

Yeah, dozens of UK mags have tested the Diesel Cooper and all of them say it's still good fun.

 

[Jim Prower]

It sounds like MINI needs to open up a second plant. Try and go to one that the US manufacturers have abandoned.

 

[Joey D]

Yes MINI does need to open another plant and they will be once the SUV goes into production as far as I know. The Oxford plant is already tapped out. There was talk of one being built in George but the weak US dollar made them look elsewhere. I believe they are going to be putting one up in Switzerland.

And with the Cooper D, by the time I'm ready for a new car they should be out without kinks so I might look into one when it comes time for me to get a new car.

 

[YSSMAN]

It would seem most-logical for them to utilized the presumably unused capacity at their North Carolina BMW operations to screw MINIs together for the North American market. At least, it seems like a good idea to me.

That being said, with this "shortage," it makes me wonder how good business will be in August when the new dealer opens up here.

 

[forza2.0]

apparently diesel technology will start going on the backfoot for european vehicle manufacturers as they believe that if the sales of diesel vehicles carry on like they are the advantages of having a diesel over a petrol car will dimish with the rising diesel fuel costs. Oh and insurance companies are wising up also to fast diesel vehicles as many insurers are now apparenlty more reluctant to insure vehicles like the diesel skoda fabia vRS

 

[Joey D]

It would seem most-logical for them to utilized the presumably unused capacity at their North Carolina BMW operations to screw MINIs together for the North American market. At least, it seems like a good idea to me.

That being said, with this "shortage," it makes me wonder how good business will be in August when the new dealer opens up here.

The new dealer should have an allotment already and I'm going to guess they are already sold. Your side of the state has more wealthy people so I'm guessing they will sell quite well. Also the "buy foreign and die" attitude isn't as strong.

 

[YSSMAN]

Certainly not. I'd say you'll see as many Volkswagens around here as Chryslers most days, and that's being a bit forgiving. Nevertheless, I haven't returned to the dealer since my last visit when they told me I couldn't drive one unless I put a deposit down.