Comments on: Paris Preview: Mini Crossman Cute Ute

By: jerseydevil

jerseydevil — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 12:01:42 +0000

this is a great idea… i dislike the way bmw badged cars are getting so snooty – i wont buy one, but i am anxious to buy a mini – mine will be a base convertable, they can expand all they want, i like these cars.

By: offroadinfrontier

offroadinfrontier — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 21:57:35 +0000

I’m always in support of small pickups, no matter the manufacturer… The perfect size pickup truck – Nissan Hardbody. Small, cheap, bulletproof, efficient. New “Midsize” is last years “fullsize,” and “small” has all but vanished…

By: Kman

Kman — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:09:58 +0000

For all those wondering / complaining about the expansion of the Mini lineup… I’d say Mini knows what they’re doing: look at the VW New Beetle where it (hasn’t) been.

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:16:47 +0000

I don’t about this cute ute, but an update of the moke would be a better world car than the nano. By world car, I mean one that is cheap in most the world, but less cheap in the US and similar countries due to being upgraded to meet regs. Not exactly the same car everywhere, but recognizable as the same car (unlike any of Ford’s world cars that aren’t at all recognizably the same car.

The keys are simple, easy to repair, functional, dirt roadable, and rugged. Folks in african villages can’t afford all the pollution gear, but they can reduce emissions by simply burning small amounts of fuel in tiny engines and not going so fast.

By: Brendino

Brendino — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:44:47 +0000

Looks cool!

I reckon that having three vehicles in a lineup is better than having one vehicle in a lineup. I hope it doesn’t get out of hand, though. You can’t get too many other variants without losing the Mini part.

By: fisher72

fisher72 — Sat, 31 May 2008 12:40:04 +0000

Maxi?

By: Nicodemus

Nicodemus — Sat, 31 May 2008 10:17:18 +0000

Not to mention the ‘Ant’ 4×4. The direction that Mini are taking now is exactly that which should have been taken 40 years ago.

By: allythom

allythom — Sat, 31 May 2008 00:42:59 +0000

The ‘original’ Mini had both delivery van and pickup variants produced from about 1960 up until the early 1980s (My folks had a Mini Van when they were married).

There was also an ‘off road’ Mini Moke variant, albeit briefly in the UK at least, production continued overseas well into the 1990s though.

By: Brian E

Brian E — Fri, 30 May 2008 22:38:28 +0000

A Minimino would be the perfect addition to the brand.

By: simonptn

simonptn — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:37:22 +0000

It’s an abomination. What’s next – a Mini truck (the Truckman) or Mini-van (the Familyman)?

They were both made 40+ years ago. But it was a Mini Van and a Mini Pick Up

By: Cammy Corrigan

Cammy Corrigan — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:52:07 +0000

Is Mini a brand which is starting to lose their way?

If they are, then it’s pretty spectactular, when you consider than their brand has a clue as to what type of cars, they should be making……

By: red5

red5 — Fri, 30 May 2008 20:51:41 +0000

I seem to remember that from the begining they wanted a full range line-up of Mini products. Is it possible they are worried about becoming a one-trick poney and are trying to cover ALL the bases? I love the Mini, I really like the Clubman, but I think this is gettin a bit out of hand.

By: N85523

N85523 — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:52:07 +0000

Has anybody heard if the gender-neutral crowd is getting any feathers ruffled over Mini’s gender-specific nomenclature?

By: carguy

carguy — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:36:08 +0000

It’s an abomination. What’s next – a Mini truck (the Truckman) or Mini-van (the Familyman)?

I even dislike the name – ‘Crossman’ sounds like someone is angry.

By: psarhjinian

psarhjinian — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:29:56 +0000

Seriously, what’s wrong with small, focused lineups. It’s not like these are all separate companies; they’re all huge, multi-headed entities with several brands and more than full product line offerings. Why the urge to compete with yourself?

I really get the impression Mini’s marketing people are getting cocky in their success and are thinking that everything they touch, by virtue of their sheer genius, must be a success.