California Autos Examiner

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Paisley Park: MINI Crossover



It doesn't look like much in this photo, does it? We can laugh all we want, but MINI makes money, even in a down market. Last year MINI introduced the Clubman model and gave a middle finger salute to the sales funk that has constipated the rest of the industry. For 2009 MINI is giving us a revised convertible model and next year we'll be getting this 2010, four door crossover.

What has been so fascinating for me to watch is that MINI has been able to rake in piles of cash by selling Americans a high content, small hatchback vehicle. That's something that most automakers have found to be impossible, but obviously with the proper execution it can be done. Rumors have it that the above vehicle, with more flattering paint, will start in the high twenties. That's right folks, it will START in the high twenties. Cha-ching!

MINI has its hands so full that production of this crossover will be subbed out to Magna and it will be assembled in Germany. I fully support MINI and its efforts to show that big money can come in small packages.

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