On June 10^th, 2007, 273 Minis and MINIs line up at Virginia Beach, stretching over five miles to reestablish the record for the longest continuous line of these cars (first set in the United Kingdom in 2006).

Demand for the MINI remains strong, the division's Oxford plant being on course to build more than 250,000 2^nd-generation cars in 2008.


By mid 2008, BMW has built more than 100 electric MINI prototypes, undergoing testing near the line's Oxford, England factory. There is, as yet, no word on when series production might begin.


BMW has long been contemplating variations on 3-door hatchback MINI theme. The first deviation is the 2008 Clubman wagon, but as that car launches, rumors fly of a possible MINI compact SUV-type crossover, inspired by the Austin Ant and Mini Moke.

A MINI Crossover concept is shown at Paris 2008. Should the vehicle be produced, it is likely to feature BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system. The BMW 1 series' platform may see use here.

Codenamed Colorado within BMW, the production model is likely to be called the Countryman. Production, sources suggest, will take place at Magna Steyr in Austria, which will begin building 80,000 per year in 2010, after BMW X3 production switches from Magna Steyr's lines to the United States.

The Countryman could form the basis of a World Rally Championship program in 2011, funded by the money BMW saves from having pulled out of Formula 1 after the 2009 season.


MINI reprises the legendary John Cooper name for tuned versions of its car in 2000. In response, Fiat begins work on an Abarth revival, while Renault, in 2008, announces that Renaultsport vehicles will henceforth be badged Alpine.


Asked to explain the success of the MINI, Director of Sales for Serbia and Montenegro Biljana Živanović cites its potential for customization. The ability to customize one's car in so many ways is, she explains, a premium service.

Certainly, MINI has been a leader in premium small cars. "Over July 2008, our MINI sales saw, on average, $4,000 - $5,000 of options in a typical sale," reports MINI USA Vice-President Jim McDowell.

"Therefore, at least in the premium end of the small-car market, small size is not equating to small dollar sales."