BMW and Fiat's joint venture for a larger MINI
 

More news about the BMW/Fiat venture:
http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/new-fiat-platform-could-be-use-for-bigger-mini-model/#more-6566

That sounds like it could be great for Fiat, given that from what I can tell, they don't have a dealer network in the United States, but what benefit will that have for MINI?

I'm not that impressed with the new Fiat hot hatch, and would take a MINI over it any day of the week...

I wonder if part of the expanded service will include Mini support at BMW dealerships. Sure would be nice to bring her closer to home for maintenance.

Costs. Development costs can be shared with FIAT and economies of scale should make the co-developed car cheaper to build (the MINI is rather expensive to build).

I like the Mi.To and absolutely love the 500 (especially the Abarth version). Hopefully they bring both of those.

Oasis, this article mentions nothing of expanded MINI support at BMW dealerships. It only mentions expanded Fiat support at existing MINI dealers.

proximal: I'm not sure I want my MINI to become cheaper to build *chuckle* Thought, if cheaper to build equates to an improvement in service and other amenities in MINI ownership, I'm sure it will be worth it.