MINI UK hits another record

MINI UK has achieved a record sales month; the highest since MINI went on sale in July 2001. 150 UK dealers sold 8,764 models in September 2007*. Year-to-date figures are running higher than the previous record year of 2005, at 36,969 models, making the outlook for a new record sales year certainly look more likely than snow on Christmas day. As announced at Frankfurt motorshow last month, global sales figures are heading for the 220,000 mark in 2007.
The record sales show the continuing success of the MINI brand and the public appreciation of the second-generation MINI hatch and MINI Convertible models. Soon to join the line-up is the new MINI Clubman: on sale from 10 November.

One of the strengths of the MINI hatch (and Clubman) models is the brand new engines which are even more fuel efficient and boast lower C02 emissions. From August of this year, those figures became even more impressive with the addition of a number of engine revisions including Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start-Stop Function and Switch Point Display.

This technology has contributed to MINI being the ‘Most Improved Manufacturer’ in the table comparing sales and C02 performance, according to data from cleangreencars.co.uk. Since 2006, MINI has reduced C02 output per car by approximately 14 per cent. The next nearest manufacturer has improved by 8.9 per cent.

MINI’s leading emission and fuel consumption improvements are featured in the forthcoming SMMT report ‘The Evolution of the Car’, due to be published next week on 9 October. For example, from the first generation MINI Cooper in 2001 to the current model today, MINI has cut C02 emissions by over a fifth.

MINI Cooper Convertible stars in "The Heartbreak Kid"

A MINI Cooper Convertible will kick-off the Fall movie season as the featured automobile in one of this season's most anticipated comedies, "The Heartbreak Kid." The new DreamWorks Pictures film from Bobby and Peter Farrelly opens nationwide October 5th with an all star cast that includes: Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Jerry Stiller, and Malin Akerman. A comedy about finding the right girl

Ben Stiller is the Heartbreak Kid and is looking for the right girl to marry. Falls in love and marries at top speed. The newly weds head down to Mexico in there Hyper Blue MINI Cooper Convertible. Even on the honeymoon the marriage turns from a dream to nightmare. See more at www.heatbreakkidmovie.com

MINI SUV on the way ?

According to Auto Express the guys at MINI are working on a SUV to enhance the MINI range. This is part of many new products to come for MINI range.

A MINI SUV would certainly open up new markets, but is it big enough to have an SUV feel? could be a problem with size but we are sure the MINI team will give a MINI SUV a superb image like they have with the MINI Clubman.

Check out the Auto Express article and mock up

Good Clean Fun

“Good Clean Fun” – MINI Cooper D wins Autocar magazine’s 2007 Green Grand Prix

MINI has taken a green P1 in the Autocar 2007 Green Grand Prix with its combination of great economy, low carbon dioxide emissions and renowned fun-factor.

Tested against some of the UK’s most environmentally friendly cars, MINI Cooper D triumphed in both absolute fuel consumption (which is directly related to CO2 emissions), and in how close its consumption figures got to the manufacturer’s stated economy figures. So, with MINI, it does what it says on the tin and you can have your cake and eat it. The only cliché it doesn’t fulfil is that going green means driving dull.

“A highly entertaining econo-car,” and “…an enjoyable way to save.” Autocar concluded that owning a MINI Cooper D is the best way to “save and smile”.

Technologies introduced in August 2007 have now pitched the new MINI Cooper D, and all other MINI derivatives including the new MINI Clubman, firmly into hybrid car-levels of economy and emissions. Brake Energy Regeneration, an instantly responsive Stop-Start system, and an in-car gear shift indicator push the car towards a combined 72 miles per gallon target. Autocar achieved 59 mpg during its ‘real-world’ driving test in the Green Grand Prix and this winning result was “impressive (and) achieved with a car barely run-in.”

On a personal note I think this is fantastic news for the MINI and it should increase sales to a new high especially with the new Clubman out in November. Saving the planet and having fun to .. brilliant