Archive for the ‘Mini’ Category
Sixteen auto brands make Top 100 — GM and FCA brands not on the list.
by Michael Strong on Oct.11, 2018
Toyota was the top automotive brand in this year's Best Global Brands Top 100 list, taking seventh overall.
A quick poll of people asking what automaker is the best might net several folks saying “Tesla!” and while it does have a massive market cap, they’d be wrong. The best brand? Toyota.
According to Interbrand’s 2018 Best Global Brands report, Apple was the top company on the list with a valuation of $214 billion. Toyota was seventh on the list at $53 billion, which was up 6% over last year’s result.
Insight!
Overall, 15 automotive brands made the Top 100 list and while there aren’t really any surprises about what ones are on the list, those that are not on the list may be reason to take pause. None of the General Motors brands made this year’s list. The aforementioned Tesla did not make the list either. Nor did any of Fiat Chrysler’s brands. (more…)
Tags: 16 auto brands make Top 100, 2018 Best Global Brands, GM brands not on brand list, bingdb.info., Toyota top auto brand, auto news, automotive brands, interbrand, michael strong, thedetroitbureau, top 100 brands
Posted in Asia Pacific, Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, China, Europe, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Land Rover, Markets, Mercedes, Mini, NAFTA, Nissan, Porsche, Quality and Reliability, Safety, Sales, South America, Subaru, Technology, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America, Volkswagen | No Comments »
Overall, consumers slightly happier with ownership experience.
by Michael Strong on Aug.30, 2018
Volvo tied with Lexus for the top brand honors in the latest ACSI survey, receiving its highest score ever.
Vehicle owners in the U.S. are slightly happier with their ownership experience this year than last year, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index.
The index, which is the result of surveys of car owners on their overall service and product experience with specific auto brands, creates a score between 1 to 100. According to the latest edition, the industry-wide score for 2018 is 82, up from 81 in 2017.
News You Can Trust!
“Car owners are often highly satisfied—they’ve kicked the tires enough times that they’re happy with their decision when they buy,” said David VanAmburg, managing director at ACSI. (more…)
Tags: 2018 ACSI, 2018 American Consumer Satisfaction Index, Chrysler lowest ranked brand, bingdb.info., Volvo and Lexus top auto brands, auto brand rankings, auto news, favorite auto brand rankings, michael strong, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Acura, Audi, Automakers, Automobiles, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, FCA, Fiat, Ford, GM, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jeep, Lexus, Lincoln, Markets, Mazda, Mercedes, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Quality and Reliability, Ram, Safety, Sales, Subaru, Toyota, Trends, U.S./North America, Volkswagen, Volvo | Comments Off
Concept is the base for the new Mini EV coming fall of 2019.
by Joseph Szczesny on Jul.17, 2018
Mini's Electric Concept was on display at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
During England’s annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, Mini presented the Mini Electric Concept, which offers an early look at both of Mini’s first fully electric model scheduled for release in 2019.
The first fully electric model from the history-rich British brand builds on the Mini brand’s DNA that has made the city its natural habitat and urban mobility a large part of its appeal.
EV News!
The new model fits the Mini template by turning electric mobility into an emotionally engaging experience brimming with driving fun, style and individuality. (more…)
Tags: Mini Electric Concept, Mini Goodwood EV debut, Mini at Goodwood Festival, Mini battery-electric, Mini electric vehicle, bingdb.info., auto news, ev news, joseph szczesny, mini news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, Automobiles, China, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Europe, Markets, Mini, NAFTA, Sales, South America, Technology, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Strong car sales offset by miserable motorcycle results.
by Joseph Szczesny on May.07, 2018
BMW CEO Harald Krueger said the company's recent financial results were impacted negatively by poor motorcycle sales.
The BMW Group’s profits dropped slightly during the first quarter as the company’s motorcycle business took a beating during the first three months of the year offsetting a solid gain by the company’s automotive business.
Harald Krueger, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, said the group is “confident” it can reach projected targets for the current financial year since the international automobile markets will continue their generally upward trend.
Global News!
However, the favorable factors are offset by extremely high levels of upfront expenditure for new technologies, fierce competition and rising personnel expenses. The global political and economic environment is expected to remain volatile. (more…)
Tags: BMW car profits rise 3%, BMW earnings news, BMW financial news, BMW motorcycle business falls, BMW profits down, bingdb.info., auto news, bmw earnings, bmw news, joseph szczesny, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Asia Pacific, Automakers, BMW, Business, China, Earnings, Europe, Financials, Markets, Mini, Rolls Royce, Sales, South America, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Forget the NYIAS concept; check out this show car from Frankfurt.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.28, 2018
Look beyond the retro Mini Electric Concept and you'll see what the British marque's first all-electric car really will look like come late 2019.
It took a little prodding and plenty of cajoling, but we’re now able to fill in some more of the blanks when it comes to the all-electric model that Mini will add to its line-up late in 2019.
As we reported Tuesday evening, the British automaker offered us a look at a retro-futuristic concept model specifically created for this year’s New York International Auto Show. But if you really want to see what the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle, or BEV, will look like you need to think back to the show car crafted for the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Electrifying!
Crafting a concept based on one of the very first, ’60s-era Minis actually makes some sense if, as Senior Vice President Sebastian Mackensen suggested, you believe that, “If Alex Issigonis, (the marques legendary founder) had invented Mini today, it would have been an electric brand.”
(more…)
Tags: Mini Electric Concept, Mini NYIAS, bingdb.info., auto news, bmw i3, bmw news, electric vehicle news, paul a. eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Concept Cars, EVs, Electrified Vehicles, Markets, Mini, New York, Technology, U.S./North America | Comments Off
Production version - based on a modern Mini - to debut in 2019.
by Paul A. Eisenstein on Mar.27, 2018
With one axle in the past and one in the present, this Mini concept is all about the company's electrified future products.
At this year’s New York International Auto Show, Mini has one axle in the past, the other in the future as it rolls out its retro-styled Electric Concept.
At first glance, you might think you were looking at a ’60s-era micro-car. But a closer look reveals the charging plug used to power up the concept’s all-electric drivetrain. The NYIAS show car is meant to “pave the way,” the British maker suggests, for Mini’s first all-electric production vehicle, which it plans to roll out next year.
Stay Plugged In!
The brand has been tinkering with electric propulsion for more than a decade, first plugging in with the 2008 Mini E. Based on the last-generation Mini 3-door, only 600 copies were produced for a field test of the drivetrain and to gauge consumer response. It served as the foundation for the development of parent BMW’s own all-electric i3 city car. (more…)
Tags: Mini Electric Concept, Mini NYIAS, bingdb.info., auto news, bmw i3, bmw news, electric vehicle news, paul a. eisenstein, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Auto Shows, Automakers, Automobiles, Mini, New York | Comments Off
Small, but significant exterior upgrades highlight the redo.
by Michael Strong on Jan.10, 2018
The the new year, Mini gave its original two-door and four-door model as well as the convertible a freshening.
Mini’s been tweaking much of its line-up for the past two years adding more space, new technology or a mix of both, but it’s finally gotten to the original two- and four-door hardtop and convertible with a few new updates.
Perhaps the most noticeable update will be the new LED tail lamps with the Union Jack design, which were created as a supplement to the new LED headlights. The optional lighting provides brighter lighting, improving safety and enhancing performance.
Product News!
Not far behind is an updated Mini logo, which appears on the bonnet, tailgate, steering wheel, central instrument display, remote control and optional driver’s side puddle lighting all models. It is a re-interpretation of the existing logo and now features a two-dimensional “flat design.” (more…)
Tags: Mini Yours Customization program, Mini adds tech to new Mini, Mini freshens original car, Mini mavens getting options, Mini updates original coupe sedan and convertible, bingdb.info., auto news, michael strong, mini news, new Mini updates for 2018, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles, Detroit, Infotainment, Markets, Mini, Safety | Comments Off
Brand offers buyers a chance to put their stamp on a new vehicle.
by Michael Strong on Dec.27, 2017
The new Mini Yours Customised program, Mini owners can personalize their new Minis.
For decades, Mini owners have been customizing their cars with all kinds of lights, roll bars, roof racks and other adornments, not to mention specialized graphics and paint colors, but now the brand has a way to make your vehicle, well, yours.
The Mini Yours Customisation (British brand, British spelling on this one!) program that allows owners to special order parts of their cars with designs, including names, created by the owner. Customers can design personalized inlays for the side scuttles, trims for the passenger side in the interior, LED door sills and LED door projectors, or welcome mats.
Product News!
For those looking to take the personalization of their Mini to the next level can select and design the upgrade parts at the new Online Customiser specially developed for the new options. From start to finish, it takes just a couple of weeks, the company says. (more…)
Tags: Mini Yours Personalised, Mini offers custom car program, Mini's custom program, Mini's new personalization program, Mini's newest upgrade, bingdb.info., auto news, michael strong, mini news, thedetroitbureau
Posted in Automobiles, Mini, Trends | Comments Off
