While Chrysler and General Motors are reducing their dealership count, BMW-owned small car manufacturer Mini says it is going to increase the size of its retail outlet count from 83 to 100 within the next 18 months. The automaker says that the majority of its new stores will be in markets new to the brand.
After the grand opening later this year of the first Mini store in Birmingham, Alabama, the automaker says its next 16 locations will include: Pensacola, Florida; Alexandria, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Fort Myers, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Ontario, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Raleigh, North Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Loveland, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California and Tempe, Arizona.
“We are pleased to be in a position to dramatically increase our U.S. dealerships. I have often said that the world is becoming more Mini every day, and I believe that that sentiment is true, now more than ever, as consumer tastes shift decidedly to cars that offer tremendous value,” Mini USA Vice President Jim McDowell said in a prepared statement. “Our cars are not only fuel efficient, and offer great value, but they also provide a fun and dynamic motoring experience and are packed with personality.”
06/22, 2:36 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
As far as rhe Seattle area is concerned, this is long overdue. Having to travel so far to service them has been a major problem here. (And they do require frequent visits planned and unplanned)
06/22, 2:54 PM
posted by:
twobolt
Mini sure could use another one in the Boston area. One far north while the other in a very congested area near Boston University where they are on the 2nd floor of a building shared with BMW and Porsche sales.. The one far north (Mini of Peabody) has always had excellent service ratings.
Too bad. Mini could use a good dealership in Metro West Boston, but unfortunately the likely owner would be the same operation as the one near BU.
Oh, well. No cake and eat it too for them here.
06/22, 3:56 PM
posted by:
bigs4610
they need more dealers to service all the problems of the lowest rated brand in initial quality.
06/22, 4:02 PM
posted by:
Dante_JoseCuervo
bigs4610
- Yeah, fun little cars. Totally a blast to drive… briefly…
06/22, 4:28 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
Austin does not need more of these stupid cars on the road. Pretty much the only people around here I see driving these and the new Kia Souls look like 50-something soccer grandmas trying to be, uhhhhh, “groovy” again. Like wow, man.
06/22, 5:10 PM
posted by:
A4
twobolt… I live right around the corner from herb chambers MINI and a dealership should not have a competitor in the same city for a company that has a good business setup like MINI does. When I had a MINI back in 2004 the nearest dealer was Hartford, CT which was 55 minutes away. I think going across Boston to get to the dealer is a blessing by comparison. If you oversaturate the market with dealers you just back-up with unsold cars, like GM. They meet demand pretty well as it is and if you can get it in for service within 45 minutes of you on a premium car that essentially has one model line then so be it. It may be a bit of an inconvenience but it won’t stop anyone from buying a MINI and it certainly keeps supply and demand at a good level.
06/22, 5:45 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
MINI offers great value?????
06/22, 11:04 PM
posted by:
Borat
MRN, don’t knock those groovy grandmas! Ever heard of velvet rub? Check it out.
06/23, 1:35 AM
posted by:
leftwingagenda
despite all the complaints, mini resale value is very strong, probably stronger than what you’re driving…
06/23, 9:53 AM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
So LWA does that mean that if I didnt buy a Mini the feds will give me a bail-out?
06/23, 8:55 PM
posted by:
TomF
Oh, they’re fun, but the smartest ownership model would be a 12-month unlimited mileage lease with full maintenance coverage. These cars are pieces of s$#* as the JD Power surveys make plain. Mine caught fire all by itself. They’re thoroughly unreliable and expensive to keep.