When I was drying the drivers door jamb the other day after I washed my new F56S, I noticed next to the tire inflation sticker was the vehicle origin sticker. Lo and behold it says my car is a BMW.

Now I get it that BMW owns Mini much like a lot of the big car makers own other brands. I also understand why my VIN indicates country of origin (first letter W) as Germany when the car is actually assembled in the UK, but why doesn't that origin sticker say that the car is a Mini? Does anybody that owns a Lexus, or Acura have an origin sticker that say they're a Toyota or Honda respectively? Just seemed funny to me that officially our cars are BMW's not Mini's despite the badge on the hood to the contrary.

 

Yep, Lexus cars say Toyota, and Acura cars say Honda Motor Company.



^ Lexus example

 

Yep, noticed that some time ago. As gtmotors says above, the parent company is noted on the door sticker. The S/N will identify a MINI as such in the codes tho.

 

I learned something today. I did not know they did things that way.

 

Even my 11+ year old R53 says BMW on it

 

Well I drive a Saab, have a JDM VIN and most of my parts and panels are stamped FHI Subaru. Go figure.

 

There was one model that was made by Subaru for Saab. It lasted one year Saab 9-2.

 

You must have a 9-2X then...

 

Unfortunately. Since new too in 2005 and I can't wait to get rid of it for a "Justa" F56 pretty soon. After one trans rebuild, a full blown front diff, and another trans swap and numerous other problems, I'm quite over JDM "problem-free" cars.