Watched the Autoline Detroit with Mr. Pitney yesterday. One comment struck me as interesting. He admitted that MINI took a long look at the Harley Davidson business plan to help develop their marketing and branding strategy. I thought about it for a little bit, and realized how correct they were to do so. There is the small number being made per year and no massive efforts to make more. The clothing, which actually tends to make Harley dealers more money than the vehicles, which is sold at the dealers to keep them profitable. MINI doesn't expect to have the accessories end up more profitable than the cars themselves, but they do want to make a culture of the brand. Now here's my question...how big is the crossover between MINI folks and Harley folks? I can't imagine MINI aiming for the exact same audience, but I suspect some folks are walking in both. I'm not a motorcycle guy, but dad and my brother are, so I can't be too far off.

 

IMO, I don't think that MINI is looking at cross-over between Harley owners and MINI owners. They're looking at building a similar brand-culture/community. Not targeting the same group of folks, but developing loyalty and expanding their share of wallet through selling a lifestyle, and not just a car to people who fit the MINI-model, whatever they deem that is. I know that their target has shifted from targeting 20-somethings to introduce them to the BMW line, to people who are "individuals" in their mentality no matter what their age.

 

Darksky is a Harley guy...or least a chaps -n- chopper kinda guy.

R

 

I will tell you one thing I have observed...

Harley people seem to LOVE this Lil' Car!

I have had more positive looks, waves, beeps, flashes
and comments about my car from folks on Harleys than
any other group - including other MINIS.

 

OBXMini - you are right about that

 

funny.
i've got the flagship harley and bmw motorcycle dealerships right by my house and no mini dealer! WTF! i have to drive a good 25 miles to the nearest dealer!

 

I've had quite a few looks from the motorcycle guys when i'm out and about.

I just hope that MINI does not look at Harley too closely... at the price that they are selling for, it's starting to become the new yuppie (how's that for a flashback word?) status symbol in my area...

Rocketboy_X

 

>>Harley people seem to LOVE this Lil' Car!

That's because some Harleys probably outweigh the MINI, and finally
they are not the smallest thing on the road!!!

 

I love my British Icon, but I'm still in love my american iron. So, I guess that makes me a bigamist?



Talk is cheap 'cause supply exceeds demand.
_________________
Fix it 'til it breaks ->Mini-Pearl: Pepper White / Red Interior / Red Stripes / CVT

 

Scoterman...

That's one beautiful HOG!

 

I don't like hogs and that is one fine looking motorcycle!

jc

 

I like the idea of Harleys but I'd never own one. Nor any motorcycle for that matter -- I don't know the first thing about driving them. As far as I'm concerned, anything on two wheels should be powered by me.

 

A guy up the street from me has a Harley and two MINIs. Another neighbor of mine is selling her Jeep and buying a MINI - she has a Harley too.

Maybe it's just my neighbors!

Cheers,
Bill

 

I let my wife take my MCS to work and they had a few walk ins and a few calls to ask about the MINI. She works for Choppers Inc. They have bikes out front daily and the MCS still got some attention.

 

Interesting. I love my MINI and am about to buy a Harley. Just waiting for the right one at the right price.

I drove my MINI up to Myrtle Beach a couple of weeks ago for Harley Bike Week. The people there were as much in love with my car as I was with the bikes! I kept coming out from looking at bikes to find people gathered around my car. They asked very intelligent questions too.

Just goes to show that great people appreciate great toys!