Mini Cooper Coming to India!!

theragingbull · 30th December 2011, 17:15

If VW have managed to sell 5-10 units of the Beetle every month, then I'm sure the Mini will do much better. It's a much more niche product than the Beetle and with better engine options too. I also expect VW to launch the new 2012 Beetle after all at the Auto Expo.

vij · 30th December 2011, 17:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by theragingbull

If VW have managed to sell 5-10 units of the Beetle every month, then I'm sure the Mini will do much better. It's a much more niche product than the Beetle and with better engine options too. I also expect VW to launch the new 2012 Beetle after all at the Auto Expo.

BMW is the segment leader. They would want to sell a lot more.

PlatzdaTurbo · 30th December 2011, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by vij

BMW is the segment leader. They would want to sell a lot more.

I doubt. The Mini is not aimed to be a volume generator in our nation atleast as of now.
With exclusively petrol engines and prices starting at around 25 lakhs, i would expect them to sell numbers just like the Beetle. No better, no worse.

vij · 30th December 2011, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

I doubt. The Mini is not aimed to be a volume generator in our nation atleast as of now.
With exclusively petrol engines and prices starting at around 25 lakhs, i would expect them to sell numbers just like the Beetle. No better, no worse.

Lets just wait for the price. Again if the Mini One is coming(any news on it?) that could get the base variant price closer to 20L hopefully.

Mirage · 30th December 2011, 21:58

25L a bit too much. I would pay about 12L for one.

PlatzdaTurbo · 31st December 2011, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by vij

Lets just wait for the price. Again if the Mini One is coming(any news on it?) that could get the base variant price closer to 20L hopefully.

I am not estimating.
Model range starts at 25 lakhs* - is what has been quoted on various sites.
IMO anything below 25 for any MINI is being over optimistic. Even the Beetle is ~ 25.

vij · 31st December 2011, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

I am not estimating.
Model range starts at 25 lakhs* - is what has been quoted on various sites.
IMO anything below 25 for any MINI is being over optimistic. Even the Beetle is ~ 25.

I am not sure. I think the Beetle is on road ~25L and not ex-showroom.

The Cooper S could be 25L. The Standard Cooper could be bit less. Well, I hope they get the Entry level basic "Mini One" which could be well less than the Cooper.

speedy · 31st December 2011, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

With exclusively petrol engines and prices starting at around 25 lakhs, i would expect them to sell numbers just like the Beetle. No better, no worse.

Mini is bringing its entire range which also includes the Diesel engines.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vij

Lets just wait for the price. Again if the Mini One is coming(any news on it?) that could get the base variant price closer to 20L hopefully.

The Mini One is also going to be launched.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PlatzdaTurbo

I am not estimating.
Model range starts at 25 lakhs* - is what has been quoted on various sites.
IMO anything below 25 for any MINI is being over optimistic. Even the Beetle is ~ 25.

The Beetles prices have dropped to 17 Lakhs as the cars were not selling even in the single digits after their initial multi digit sales. There are many dealers who have stocks that are not selling. I would expect BMW who knows how the Indian sales pattern works to bring the Mini range starting from 18 lakhs on road upto 28 lakhs on road. I am only estimating but eagerly awaiting their official price release.

vij · 31st December 2011, 13:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedy

Mini is bringing its entire range which also includes the Diesel engines.

The Mini One is also going to be launched.

The Beetles prices have dropped to 17 Lakhs as the cars were not selling even in the single digits after their initial multi digit sales. There are many dealers who have stocks that are not selling. I would expect BMW who knows how the Indian sales pattern works to bring the Mini range starting from 18 lakhs on road upto 28 lakhs on road. I am only estimating but eagerly awaiting their official price release.

18L on-road for the 'Mini One' will be great and we might see these cute things on the road quite a bit if that happens. 20L should be a no-go area for a company hoping to have a successful small car. Surely the Cooper will cost more and that can be left alone for the enthusiasts

suhaas307 · 31st December 2011, 13:56

It's time Fiat get their act together and bring back the 500, to re-build the brand. I remember they had sold a limited number. Why not bring it back here and set it among the Beatles and Minis. It will be great competition, and I personally know several people who like the 500 more than the others.

The Mini will now add flavour in the entry-level luxury segment of the market. It's a great little car, and is a big name in the World and known to Indians too. So I wouldn't find it to be a difficult brand-building exercise.

The Mini's volumes however, as I've mentioned before, will not be a cause for concern to BMW. However, if it does reasonably well here, we can only expect BMW to put it on the assembly-line right next to the 1-Series, which hopefully, will be in full-swing by then.

vb-saan · 31st December 2011, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Also, the Indian-special episode of Top Gear that was aired recently showed how regularly Hammond's Mini scraped Mumbai's roads. The roads they drove on were much much better than roads elsewhere so you can imagine what would happen to the belly.

They'd need to customize the car really appropriately for India.

The Mini drove by Hammond was the classic one from the old generation, and I found the scraping part a bit exaggerated. I don’t expect the current Mini to have any GC issues in India. The regular Mini’s short wheelbase and super-tight suspension will take care of that part, and the Countryman has got almost an SUV-ish stance.

theragingbull · 31st December 2011, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mirage

25L a bit too much. I would pay about 12L for one.

Everyone would pay 12L for one but the remaining you have to pay to the Government

khanak · 31st December 2011, 22:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by suhaas307

It's time Fiat get their act together and bring back the 500, to re-build the brand. I remember they had sold a limited number. Why not bring it back here and set it among the Beatles and Minis. It will be great competition, and I personally know several people who like the 500 more than the others.

I don't think bringing it in for the second time will do much to rebuild the brand but I definitly think there is a market for it. IMO it looks better than the Beetle that does somewhat decent numbers and if I remember correctly was priced lower than the Beetle as well.

SankalpDesai · 2nd January 2012, 11:30

Just came across this microsite. It has a countdown clock showing the launch date and time for Mini in India. The site is neat and well laid out. Three models will be launched -

Mini Countryman
Mini Hatch
Mini Convertible

MINI Microsite

Times look promising for car enthusiasts in India...

vij · 2nd January 2012, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by SankalpDesai

Just came across this microsite. It has a countdown clock showing the launch date and time for Mini in India. The site is neat and well laid out. Three models will be launched -

Mini Countryman
Mini Hatch
Mini Convertible

MINI Microsite

Times look promising for car enthusiasts in India...

That site's been there for weeks now. I dont see mention of Mini One - the reason why I have doubts on its launch.

30th December 2011, 17:15	#76
theragingbull Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,601 Thanked: 646 Times View My Garage	Re: Mini Cooper Coming to India!! If VW have managed to sell 5-10 units of the Beetle every month, then I'm sure the Mini will do much better. It's a much more niche product than the Beetle and with better engine options too. I also expect VW to launch the new 2012 Beetle after all at the Auto Expo.
	() Thanks

30th December 2011, 21:58	#80
Mirage BHPian Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Bombay Posts: 123 Thanked: 148 Times	Re: Mini Cooper Coming to India!! 25L a bit too much. I would pay about 12L for one.
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31st December 2011, 13:56	#85
suhaas307 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 8,830 Thanked: 12,255 Times	Re: Mini Cooper Coming to India!! It's time Fiat get their act together and bring back the 500, to re-build the brand. I remember they had sold a limited number. Why not bring it back here and set it among the Beatles and Minis. It will be great competition, and I personally know several people who like the 500 more than the others. The Mini will now add flavour in the entry-level luxury segment of the market. It's a great little car, and is a big name in the World and known to Indians too. So I wouldn't find it to be a difficult brand-building exercise. The Mini's volumes however, as I've mentioned before, will not be a cause for concern to BMW. However, if it does reasonably well here, we can only expect BMW to put it on the assembly-line right next to the 1-Series, which hopefully, will be in full-swing by then. Last edited by suhaas307 : 31st December 2011 at 13:59.
	(1) Thanks

2nd January 2012, 11:30	#89
SankalpDesai BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Frankfurt Posts: 245 Thanked: 72 Times	Re: Mini Cooper Coming to India!! Just came across this microsite. It has a countdown clock showing the launch date and time for Mini in India. The site is neat and well laid out. Three models will be launched - Mini Countryman Mini Hatch Mini Convertible MINI Microsite Times look promising for car enthusiasts in India...
	() Thanks