It seems like the 2011 refresh is a significant one across the entire line and on paper the numbers - both performance and EPA (especially the S models) - are impressive. It seems most of the nominees are in the luxury/sedan class and admittedly I'm not familiar with the voting criteria but it seems to me that if the Scion tC and CR-Z made the list, a MINI belongs there too.

Opinions?

http://wot.motortrend.com/6730212/au...ick/index.html

 

Keyword is "refresh". As you can see from the list, 2 main things are rewarded, that that is
1) mass market appeal...Jetta, or Kia Optioma, Sonota
2) New or Unique designs (just introduced)....Example CR-Z, or Volt (kinda a reward to the industry for innovation)

One key factor is that the MINI is a bit of a niche product...folks love it or hate it...it does all that you need to do, or you need a different car...the next Gen MINI (GEN3) when it comes out might make the list...even the "new" varriations of the Gen2 MINI are great, they are also niche cars...rather than "Mass market" aimed cars...thus I think they will lack the volume or appeal to make the list.
I would love to see the MINI on the list, but it is just like getting chosen first for the kick-ball team in grade school!! A popularity contest!

Sometimes doing things slightly unrecognized is great, and a bit "under the radar" is better than renowned, and popular...ever have a favorite restraunt/bar/coffee shop that was ruined by a Good review from a newspaper...the place just got so busy, you just stopped going cause the dynamics had changed so much, it no longer was as good in your book?
I serserely believe this is the reason why MINI USA held off for so long when it came to traditional advertising....Gorilla Marketing tactics worked well, and gave the brand a "mystique" and a bit of a private club feel!!

 

Just how much does MINI spend on advertising in Motortrend?

 

Not enough....

 

Zippy forgot one other criteria. A company that has bettered itself can also have a car finalist, such is the case for Buick, as their Regal is a finalist for Automobile Magazine's 2011 COTYA. No, it's not because MINI isn't paying Motor Trend money. It's just the car is a niche vehicle as stated. Yes, we love these cars, but face it, they are just as popular to the general public anymore. And with the Fiat 500 coming here, MINI will now have another rival.

 

From them...

 

And the winner!!!!! Chevy Volt!!! And that's from Motor Trend and it's sister publication Automobile Magazine.

 

The Countryman was a contender for SUV of the year.

 

Just as long as that new butt ugly Jetta doesn't win (someone in their design department needs a good smack in the head)

 

All great points. I think I'd rather MINI just keep doing its own thing, quirkiness and all, and keep delivering what we all love about it rather than caving in for the sake of a meaningless award anyway.

As for the Volt, while GM should be recognized for its innovation there, I still don't understand why it's taken so long to bring that thing to market. And if mass market appeal is one of the considerations for the award yet they're giving that kind of a nod to a car that stickers at $40K a pop, I'd have to think that MotorTrend is a bit out of touch with the average car-buying public.

I'll keep my MINI, thank you. And when it's time for a replacement in a year or two, I'll be giving the Countryman a very, very close look. (Anybody see it at Inskip last night? Suh-wweeeeeett!)

 

Motor Trend has never been a real car guy magazine. Their car of the year has always been suspect; related to advertising revenue.

 

Proof.

 

You're dog on right they deserve to be recognized. And GM has always taken a long time to get their products. The new Camaro was shown to us, we were teased by it, and even featured it in a movie wayyyyy before it hit the market. It's nothing wrong with taking time to make sure the car is done right. Everybody is quick to complain about a car taking too long to come out on the market, yet we complain when the said car has way too many problems.

 

It won North American Car of the Year for 2003.
(Man, had it been that long ago?!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPugLIbn_O0