Rocketboy's MINI Blog - Entry Page

Here's another article, this time from the Detroit Free Press, about how GM hopes to "woo the same chic buyers drawn to the popular pocket-sized Mini Cooper" with the new Nomad. Sorry GM, but a MINI is a MINI. It's not just a "chic" car that all the kids are buying because it's cool. I doubt that market segment would have helped the MINI sold as many units as they have, worldwide. Yes, I understand how the popularity of the MINI (especially in the states, where it's been the SUVs that have been leading the pack in sales growth) is making some auto manufacturers think again about the 'Bigger is Better' mentality, but, I'd dare say that the gross majority of MINI owners are MINI owners because they want a MINI. Not just a small car, not just a 'cool' car (which even if it was as hip as a Pinto, I'd still drive mine with pride), but a MINI. A car with a proud history, a car with soul, not some new cheap way of making 1 type of car, and at the last minute it's one of 3 (or more) different cars, each with different names and brands, but a MINI.

I'm not saying that the Kappa platform idea will be a bust. Really, I don't care if it works out for GM or not. Good for them if it does. But all I'm saying, is what makes the Kappa platform the Kappa platform keeps it from having the same spirit as a MINI. And GM does not seem to understand that.

Erik...

(In case you missed it, this is a really cool link to the history of the Mini, from MINIUSA.com)