Hi there,

I´m a student and we have to write an assessment. My opinion was to write about the differences between MINI UK and MINI US. That´s why I post here in hoping you can help me.

- Why is the production plant in Oxford and not in the US?
- Why are there only benzin MINIs in the US (I know it´s a little bit cheaper)
- Are there any differences in management?
- are there any other differences you know?

Thanks in advance and I hope there are a few coments
ReFiddler

 

1 - More for tradition than anything else.
2 - The diesel models cannot run on the poor quality (sulfur-containing) diesel fuel found in the US. Yes, the US has some of the worst diesel fuel in the world, and people here wonder why diesels are supposedly so bad/so polluting. In a few years the fuel quality will be increased to take advantage of newer high-efficiency/low-emissions diesel technology enjoyed in Europe and elsewhere.
3 - I believe the differences in management revolve mostly around the differences in marketing and cutomers and how these differences need to be addressed.
4 - Nothing else of note that I am aware of. The big difference is that the UK has enjoyed Minis since their inception, whereas what little exposure the Mini had in the 1960s stateside basically means the new MINI is a completely new, unheard-of car to most people. A small car being marketed in the US which of late has been all about huge SUVs was a bold step for MINI. So far, they have a hit on their hands, one even they are surprised of how well it's been received here.

 

I agree with Greatbear,this car is hot,the sales back that up,and who cares where it is built,as long as the basic idea is held to.Wheels on the corners,engine to match,fun to drive

 

Thanks for your answers.
I read that MINI US appears as an own company not with its shareholder BMW group. That´s different to the UK. The MINI Marketing in UK ever combines it with BMW (like text formatting, pictures). Do you know why?
Whats the reason for the hype of MINI in the US. Normally you like big cars and machines why is it so successfull. Its the second largest market in the world behind the UK. Even still before Germany...

 

I know why I like the car.Goes like snot,even though a MC.Handles twisties like it is running on rails.Flies off the the off ramps at 70 mph in 3third gear.Motors through snow,and is safe,comfy,warm,and looks great

 

People are attracted to the MINI because it's cute and different. Many doubt it....then, they drive it and become infatuated with it! It is SUCH a fun little performance vehicle!

I've been driving the new MINIs since 2002 and still have the famous silly MINI-grin on my face. And I also still admire mine in the driveway! The true MINI enthusiast is having a major love affair with their little beast!

Clover

 

We got our MINI precisely because it's not one of the big, heavy monsters that dominate the roads here. I have lived around little British cars since before I had a driver's license. The history of the original Mini is what brought me in for the test drive.

The test drive is what kept me. Like the original, this car is not just a machine- it is an extension of the driver's will. The car is capable of more than I am. If I dare to think it, the car will do it. I run out of courage before the car runs out of grip. No other car I have driven can claim that.

So no other car will claim its space in my driveway.

Add to that the fact that the MINI is as practical in everyday use as any passenger car I have ever owned, and BMW has a knock-out winner.

 

Yeah,well said

 

I like small cars, I have always liked small cars. Maybe I'm not a typical American, I feel safer in a small car. I can change lanes and avoid obsticals with out making room for the rest of the car. BIG (note the size) SUVs that are used as a station wagon/mini van and never see or not built for off roading or lots of snow makes me sick.

Well anyways, to my point. If I had more money than I knew what to do with, I would get a Lotus Else. But, since I'm not made of money and want something more reasonable to drive every day. The MINI is an option for me.

 

Amen to that!

Ditto !

 

One other marketing difference is the lack of the Mini One model in the US. Given that the 115 HP Cooper is often considered underpowered for the US roads, the One just wouldn't get much attention by US buyers.

Then there are the differences in the way the cars are packaged and sold. The US cars tend to have more standard features, where as the UK has to pay for these options. And the US is presented with 4 packages (Premium, Sport, Cold and Convenience). UK market has the Chilli package.

Finally, the availability of the JCW features differs. For example, the JCW seats are not available in the US market. The availability of some features like the seats has to do with different laws in the two countries I think.

 

The reason the MINI is manufactured in Oxford has a lot more to do with how BMW became the owner of this segment of British Leyland than it does with tradition. The British Government had over the years sunk many millions into BL to keep the British car manufacturing industry afloat. They had much influence over the final fete of BL components and used that influence to ensure jobs remained in Britain. BMW bought the BL plant in Oxford at the same time they acquired the MINI rights. Although they rebuilt everything for the new MINI, the labor force was to a large extent transfered to the new plant (with much re-education to ensure proper quality is maintained). I understand that there were tax insentives provided to BMW if they kept the plant in Britain but I have no details of this. btw, my sister lives just outside Oxford and knows some of the people who work there and used to work for BL.


Certainly the tradition does not hurt. After all, the primary market for the new MINI was always supposed to be Great Britain. People in Britain like the idea of buying British just the same way that many Americans continue to buy Chevy's even though the quality has been inferior to many foreign cars for years.

 

hi there,
in my country its now really late but i hope some of the 433 online poeple are able to help me.
I have still the problem that i have to hand in my assignment and i hope some of you can tell me differences between UK And US MINI.
I have already gained some goog answers but still some people dont understand that i am concerned getting a bed mark.
so pleas dont answer when you only want to state, that MINI is the best, because this i already now i am also a fancy but in fact this does not help me to writ my assigment.
Diffrences in
- Marketing
- Advertsing
-Distribution
- market share
-Taxes
-Prices ( why are the cheapper in the US?)
-sponsoring
does anybody nows some facts.

Thanks for the helping hand. LET'S MINI
refiddler

 

The other thread has been removed. Let's try to keep this discussion focused in one thread.

 

A good place to start would be www.mini.com

you can access different country mini websites. I would think you could find some differences there.

 

The UK ones are right hand drive,those over here in North America are left hand drive,besides the diesel,thats it.

 

HAHAHAH

I am a girl ok but i am clever enough to have a look on the diffrent webpages uk and us.
so if you were ever on this pages there are not satisfied for my question i was asking .
So is anybody out there who can help me??????
I thought of you were fancy about MINI so you should no something or?
Is it love?
Refiddler

 

sorry i was to fast yesterday but i want to go deeper otherwise there are only answers without any benefit. but thanks anyway

 

 

I'm a member of a local UK MINI board who has someone working for MINI UK on it. I'll ask and see if he knows.

 

453 people had a viey on this thread and only let it be 10 people are heplfull. i thought there should be more people knowing insider knowledge.
SO KEEP ON POSTING .Let's MINI

 

All the facts/answers can be found between NAM, MINI2 and some google searching. The info is all out there... you just have to dig.

I'm sure most people could write a paragraph for you on the pricing differences between US and UK, but then it would be our project and not yours. I truly don't mean that to sound offensive.. its just a fact. I'm a student as well.. best of luck If you want facts, do some research. If you want personal statements and testimonials, then I'd be more than happy to help!

 

the uk versions have half-leather seats, where the us versions have full leather with no half-leather option available, you could try to explain that one?

 

I understand that you are writing a paper to compare the US and UK divisions of MINI and you want some help. However, keep in mind that most of the people reading this only really see the one or the other. While we are fanatics, we don't analyse the different corporations just for fun. After all, we're owners, not business analysts.

My opinions about your questions:
A) MINI is made in the UK because MINI is, and always has been, a UK company. If you moved the only plant to Germany or the US, then you wouldn't have a British car would you? There was a lot of public discourse about BMW just owning MINI would probably destroy the unique feel of the car. Happily, they pulled off a great design that preserves the feel of the original while updating it. But moving the company & manufacturing probably would have hurt the brand quite a bit. As mentioned before, I'm sure the British government worked very hard to keep those jobs in place as well.

B) Diesels are not that popular here for automobiles. Gas is cheap enough most of the time to not demand attention (though I've sure heard a lot of whining lately from the truck owners!) and people still have the perception that diesel engines are loud and dirty. I take people like that and point out a VW Jetta TDI and they're just amazed.

C) No idea - now way for me, the consumer, to know.
D) No idea - haven't been to Britian myself, so I can't compare directly.

You then through out some more topics you wanted ideas for:
Marketing & Advertising - See D above. The stuff I've seen here seems to have a British 'cheekyness' about it that is pretty uncommon here. I don't know if they do anything differently there.
Pricing & Taxes - Well, different competition means different pricing. Who knows what market studies BMW has that led them to those choices? Taxes are out of the company's control. I do have an English friend who visited home after I got my MCS who told me what they cost there. Yow - a good chunk more expensive! But I believe that's probably all due to the different tax structure in England.

That's all I think I can say anything about. As for facts, that's a research task that you'll have to figure out where to get that info. This wouldn't be it.

Good luck with your assignment.

 

Thanks for your opinion

there are some aspects i wrote in an article as well so i can back it up.
And i hope after this assignment i only use MINI for fun in my new convertible.
Refiddler:smile: