r/MINI • u/fishbert F56 • 2d ago

Opinion: Why MINI Halting (J01) Cooper & (J05) Aceman UK Production Plans is a Good Thing - MotoringFile

https://www.motoringfile.com/2024/12/26/opinion-why-mini-halting-j01-cooper-j05-aceman-uk-production-plans-is-a-good-thing/
3 Upvotes

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4

u/fishbert F56 2d ago

Something of a counterpoint to yesterday's article.

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u/I_Am_Very_Busy_7 2d ago

Honestly, they raise a lot of good points in this article. Having been on the dealer side, I can attest that Motoringfile, Gabriel especially, is usually incredibly well-informed on the ins and outs of MINI, upcoming news, changes, etc. Half the time, we just got our news from them vs. corporate lol. So, if they are optimistic, I feel comfortable being optimistic as well.

I do agree that MINI needs to just take some time to figure out exactly who it is to people in each respective market and take its time to develop a product line that both makes sense from a profit and volume standpoint while also not alienating brand loyalty in the process. They can’t be everything to everyone, but they can at least now hopefully take some stock of both feedback and changing market demands and regulations to hopefully better understand where it fits in today’s market as a brand.

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u/airvqzz 1d ago

A longer range rear wheel drive Mini Cooper SE is all I ever wanted. Can’t be that hard with EV platform, but they decided to once again decided to make it front wheel drive, why?

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u/OskiXX R60 1d ago edited 1d ago

Because every mini ever made has been FWD based, everything from the 1959 Austin Seven/Morris Mini Minor to the new F66/J01. If you want a rwd car, buy a BMW

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u/airvqzz 1d ago

They canceled plans to bring new models to America, but somehow the article spins this as something positive for the brand. I don’t agree with the conclusion.

Minis being FWD was due to the engine placement, but EVs don’t have engines. EVs have electric motors that can be packaged in more compact configuration and are more flexible. A RWD configuration would have increased its performance and appeal to sport enthusiasts