Diversions
Driven
News
07 Jul
MINI breaks German monthly sales recordBMW sales figures for June 2009 once again represent a mixed bag for the German automaker, coming a day after it was revealed MINI’s sales in the UK had broken into top ten for the year to date. Globally MINI sales were down for June 2009 compared with the same month last year to the tune [...]
07 Jul
It’s an Australian MINI adventureIn 1965 Evan Green decided it would be a smart idea to drive a Mini across the centre of Australia. Twice. A rally driver, novelist and motoring journalist, he was given the suggestion to embark on this hazardous adventure by vehicle lubricants manufacturer Castrol to form part of their marketing campaign for their [...]
06 Jul
1.5 Million MINI milestoneJuly 6th 2009 MINI achieved another historic milestone as car number 1.5 million rolled off the production line at BMW Group Plant Oxford. The MINI in question, a red MINI Clubman, is destined for a lucky UK buyer. Business Minister Ian Lucas MP, responsible for the automotive sector at the government department for Business Innovation [...]
06 Jul
MINI breaks into UK sales top tenFor the first time in 2009 MINI has entered the UK top ten for cars sold in the year to date, according to figures released by the SMMT. MINI sold 17,422 cars in the UK to the end of June 2009. This figure represents a fall of almost 28 percent compared like for like with [...]
04 Jul
MINI UK gets MINI FirstNo, this isn’t a weird flashback to 2001. At first MINI UK said it wouldn’t happen, then they wouldn’t deny it could happen, and now it’s here… The MINI One with 55kw, aka MINI Ray (among others) is finally coming to UK MINI showrooms this summer. You can imagine how a company might struggle to come up [...]
03 Jul
Official: The MINI One D is back!BIGBLOGG said it, we reported it, and now it’s officially official; the MINI One D is returning this Autumn. That’s right, the original MINI diesel will rising like a Phoenix from the flames, returning once again to conquer the European small car market. At least, we imagine that’s something along the lines of [...]
30 Jun
Workers return and shift patterns increase at MINI plantWorkers have returned to BMW Group Plant Oxford this week following a four day disruption to MINI production caused by an industrial dispute in France. Not only are the MINI makers back at work, this week also sees 250 agency staff, many of whom were let go earlier in the year, join the ranks at Plant [...]
26 Jun
MINI The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motor CarSimon Garfield’s rather hefty publication provides insight into the history of the design, production and marketing of both the original Mini and the new. It’s no coincidence that the book has been released in time to coincide with MINIs 50th anniversary celebrations, and while the narrative starts way back when in the late [...]
25 Jun
MINI lose their bearings and halt productionThe BBC is reporting that workers at BMW Group Plant Oxford have been asked not to turn in for work as production of the MINI has been brought to a standstill by strike action in France. The situation, which MINI told the BBC is “beyond its control”, is a result of strikes involving a firm who [...]
23 Jun
MINI E fronts “Largest ever” electric vehicle field trials in the UK40 MINI E electric vehicles will be taking part in a UK wide Government backed scheme designed to test the viability of using electric vehicles on British roads. As part of the initiative the MINI E Research Consortium are to receive a government grant to the tune of £10.7 million, with the aim of putting mass [...]
22 Jun
MINI E trials begin in Berlin while MINI hits rock bottom of JD Power surveyThe MINI E field trials in Germany went underway today as the keys to the first of 50 of the all electric MINIs taking part in the Berlin based field trial were handed over. The MINI E’s American adventures, along with the “Pioneers” who are (or in some cases, are not) taking part in the trials [...]