I was in Hong Kong and Beijing a few weeks ago (I got out during the first SARS alert) and while I was there I was able to snap a couple of good MINI photos.

The BMW/MINI dealer in Beijing


The window sticker for the MINI (about $50,000 US for an MC)


A classic in Hong Kong


I was told by a potential customer of ours in HK that this MINI belongs to a popular actress/singer -


Thanks for letting me share -

 

Nice pics. I am very intrigued as to who can afford to pay US$50,000 for a new MINI Cooper in a country where almost 99% can barely afford to buy a bicycle??

 

I think Miniclo would look
great in the hot pink!

 

when u really have a chance to go to china, then you will know how people could pay for a 150K BMW and a 180K Merc and drive around the city.

I have lived in china until i was 17, i have seen more than 20 of these cars sitting in front and around of my house everyday for years.

China is not the way people used to think.

You can not finance most of cars in china, it has to be pay in full. this is for most cars. Just some tips let you guys know, it is not something surprise to see people drive a 03 BMW X5 or 03 Merc S500 every couple of blocks in Beijing, Shanghai, Dalian or Guangzhou. the most important, all the people drives these cars are actually own the car and it was paid in full. Not like here. People could lease or finance a BMW when they earning 28K a year.
Paid the car in full, or no car. that's the rule. That's why there are so many bikes in China

The world is changing faster than what you can imagine

 

That's great! I'll be hungry for more pics in an hour ( ).

Has HK changed at all since British rule ended? I've always wanted to go.

 

I sooo want a hot pink MINI!!!!!!

Erin

 

The Pink Mini is SOOOOOOOOOOO Cute!

 

I really like your jujubees signature!

 

Beijing is a lot like Seoul, Korea. I was surprised at how westernized it was. HK is like being in New York. I did get to check out the great wall which is amazing to see in person.

 

Thanks for sharing the pictures :smile: :smile: That is one HOT PINK Mini

 

>>That's great! I'll be hungry for more pics in an hour ( :smile:

 

Now we are talking!
ejkd, you were there for a really long time. Were you work there or live there? if you don't mind me to ask.

BTW, didn't you guys saw the guy who made MODS and bumper Spoilers. the DS MINI in the other thread. He even post his video how his car run from 0 to 160KM. I think his user name is SMGRUN. His is from HongKONG, and he has one of the best looking MINIs i have ever seen.

 

Those are great! I love the pink one!!!

 

I'll be honest with you, I'm afraid to go to China. Not because of SARS, because of the secret police. A friend of mine went there 3 years ago and saw a guy jump out of a van with an anti-communist banner. He got nailed within 5 minutes, had the **** beaten out of him, was thrown in the back of a van, and everyone who had a camera had the film taken out and destroyed. Screwed up, dude. Really screwed up.

 

I had the opportunity to visit Shanghai a couple years ago. Incredible country with an amazing history. In Shanghai, their infrastructure is modern (moreso than our cities) and development occurs ridiculously fast. And yeah, the ubiquity of large black BMW, Mercedes, and Audi--especially Audi--sedans with all their windows tinted was ridiculous.

However, the divide between the rich and poor is striking (wait... isn't this country supposed to be communist?)--even within Shanghai some of the poorer districts look like they're straight from the early 1900's. Plus, you come to realize that unless you're wealthy or have power, you're essentially nobody. I mean, it's true to some extent in the west too, but there's a certain basic respect you have for other human beings--not as much in China. Disclaimer: these are huge generalizations, of course.

The lack of transparency is problematic--at the airport, one of our party was detained, without a word being said as to why. Even after he was released. And, of course, there's the ever pervasive government (though honestly, if they were to suddenly implement our system of democracy to their 1-billion+ population, the whole country would spiral into chaos).

It'll be interesting to see how our world develops over the next century.

Also, in practice... Hong Kong isn't really China. Google is unfiltered in HK, and filtered from the mainland. 'Nuff said.