Here's an idea: Put some digital cameras on the production line and make "Production Photos" a $50 option. When folks take delivery, they get a few 8x10 glossies and/or jpegs of their car being snapped-together.

I'd go for that. Anybody else?

I reserve the rights on my idea.

 

hahahah, I could see several people getting the same exact pictures.

 

Thats kind of in the same vein as how theme parks take pictures of your when you're on rides and then sell them to you as souvenirs! The way most custom spec'd MINI owners are though...i.e. nuts about the production process (me included), I wouldn't be surprised if the idea was actually profitable.

 

Since MINI has made buying and ordering your MINI such an event or experience, I would like to see MINI offer a plan that when after you order your car from the dealer, you get the scheduled build dates, then visit the Oxford plant on those dates to watch your new MINI be built. Possibly even watch your car get loaded on the boat for home. You can then shoot your own photos and video.

I understand that BMW has or is about to offer a plan similar to what Porsche has offered for many years. You order your car, then visit the factory on the planned build days. Then after a day or so you take the car from the factory and do your own tour of Europe in your new car. When you return the car back to the factory, they inspect it and make it ready for shipment home.

With a new MINI this would be difficult to do as the insurance to drive a left hand drive vehicle in England is quite costly (about $1500 U.S. a week and more). But at least you would have the enjoyment and experience of watching your MINI come together. This would only enhance the MINI experience and take away some of that stress and frustration we all have experienced waiting to hear and know via the internet where in the process our new MINI is. When this "Witness the Birth of Your MINI" program happens, I'll be one of the first in line to order and make a trip to Oxford. THAT would be an experience!

 

The problem with that is they don't allow visitors to have cameras in the factory,probably to guard trade secrets. That's why I suggested putting the cameras in fixed places along the production line where you could see the progress of the car, but not necessarily anything else.

If they were really clever, they could link the pictures to the Owner's Lounge website, and you could see your car being made in real time. Of course, they seem to have trouble just getting their flash to work correctly, so I'm not holding my breath.

 

Has been available for BMW for quite some time. They even established multiple drop off points so that you didn't have to come back to Munich. You could even take advantage in the difference in exchange rates - which was great when the dollar was particularly strong.

Concerning MINI there is always the chunnel or car ferry - if they were so inclined a European delivery could be arranged. ***** in their court. I'd go for it if it was offered.

 

I would SO go for any of the above! They make the whole ordering process such an experience anyway, I'm kind of surprised they don't do something like this. My sister says that these are the perfect cars for me because the sale of them is high on the cheese factor :-)

 

great idea about cameras, but they can make more money by getting off their butts and solving the euro delivery program void.

LETS ALL WRITE MINI AND DEMAND EUROPEAN DELIVERY PROGRAM. why? simple, delivery in Oxford will allow BMW/MINI to maintain and grow marketshare. Since there is no USA 1-series bimmer, MINI must step up - also, Audi has started their eurodelivery program for the A3, Volvo has perhaps the best program out there and are about to launch their C30, SAAB for the 9-3, and so on. this market niche is getting very crowded with fun
and high performing vehicles.

PLEASE EMAIL now to: mini.assistance@miniusa.com

we all thank you,
obc