Why Is MINI Photographing an Updated Rocketman Concept?

[N16SHP]

I can see both points...I think. The Ford example I get, a Focus or Escort used to be the medium sized family car, and then the Fiesta was its small sister, then they introduced the Ka into the 'Super-Mini' category and these days even the Focus is not a hugely big family car. I can see Mini doing the same thing, the Mini Hatch is their Fiesta and now they are possibly going to introduce the Rocketman as their Ka. Personally, I really hate how Mini are diluting the brand, but it is not sustainable to stay in the market with just one model, they have to diversify. Yes, they perhaps could of just diversified with one more model rather than a barage of concepts some good some bad. You could argue that BMW are the diversified company and Mini is just one more model to that range and I'd love that if they only offered one or two models but it's just not going to happen :(

Will it stop me buying a Mini, I don't think so, but I can still only ever see myself driving a hatch as thats what I love. I bought my Mini, instead of an ST or a Corsa VXR because it was head and shoulders above in terms of the drive and as much as I hate to say it, even in class. When's the last time you seen a wee ned driving a Mini? When's the last time you seen a ned driving a Corsa VXR or a Fiesta ST with its arse dragging along the ground and an exhaust you could stick you head in? A'l rest my case!

[stoney]

Will it stop me buying a Mini, I don't think so, but I can still only ever see myself driving a hatch as thats what I love. I bought my Mini, instead of an ST or a Corsa VXR because it was head and shoulders above in terms of the drive and as much as I hate to say it, even in class. When's the last time you seen a wee ned driving a Mini? When's the last time you seen a ned driving a Corsa VXR or a Fiesta ST with its arse dragging along the ground and an exhaust you could stick you head in? A'l rest my case!

I am with u 100% on this point

[ELFMAN]

Quote: JCMike "I think you are totally missing the point of what i am saying, i am only comparing the mini range to these cars, in size and pretty much nothing else".


I don't think I'm THAT thick - I get where you're coming from, maybe I'm not putting my thoughts across clearly...

I know you're basically comparing them in size, it's just that I disagree with the whole ethos of dealing with the 'MINI Brand' using the same parameters in comparison with other more 'mainstream' manufacturers which I think undermines most of MINI's (Gen 1 and 2) original unique selling points. I realise that MINI had to diversify and introduce new models, as it would have been economic suicide not to do so, but continually expanding the MINI range to such an extent that it seems to be trying to fill every niche taken up by every other manufacturer is diluting the essential core appeal of the original product.

So I understand the size comparison, but for me at least, that's just scratching the surface. This whole thing goes a whole lot deeper than that. The Ka and Fiesta are two completely different models from a huge manufacturer, which fit requirements in the market for small, and smaller, practical hatchbacks. Now the market for the MINI has arguably never really been that of the small, practical hatchback. It's not that small, and it's not that practical for a start, and the type of person who buys a Ka or a Fiesta probably isn't interested in MINI. So to entertain the premise that 'we must have MINI equivalents of both the Ka and Fiesta' is essentially pointless.

Why do we need the Rocketman when we already have the R56 range? The current MINI hatch isn't so big that it's unsuitable for 'city life', it's pretty reliable, it's frugal these days, you can get a reasonable amount of stuff in it given the boot's limited capacity and even I can park it, and I'm crap at parking. So why is there a need for a smaller - even less practical - variant? The Rocketman doesn't really bring anything new to the table, it won't do anything that the R56 doesn't already do, and in my opinion it's just there to get into yet another market segment which MINI seems to feel it's missing out on.

Which brings me back to the point that in this case I think MINI, in its determination to be all things to all people, is in danger of spreading itself too thin, and creating confusion in the name of customer 'choice'. It's pretty easy to differentiate between a Ka and a Fiesta, but I'm afraid that, size apart, there will be a blurring of the lines between the R56 and the Rocketman. I bet that the vast majority of the general public would just take the Rocketman for a 'full-fat' MINI anyway. MINI, although obviously much more 'mainstream' these days, is still essentially something of a 'niche market' in global automotive terms, and these seemingly endless subdivisions are cutting thinner and thinner slices of what is a relatively small cake. OK, if it does go into production, the Rocketman would probably sell (like hot cakes), but how that would affect sales of the R56 range is anybody's guess. Sales of the Clubbie have no doubt been negatively affected by the Countryman, and I think we'd see the same effect on the Hatch if the Rocketman was introduced.

MINI need to make sure they don't contaminate the bathwater by introducing a new Baby.

[Mon the fish]

The ned point - with R53's now going south of £4k, it's a matter of time before R53's end up with a boot-full of speakers and neon, sadly

[JC Mike]

For what its worth, i really dont think Mini needs a 'rocketman' to be honest, a smaller, less practical Mini? The only positive of this that i could see is bringing the pricepoint down for people wanting a new Mini but that would have the same effect on residual value, the brand is close to saturation now i think.

I am excitied about the 3dr countryman, as i like the styling but there really isnt much more they can do with the range surely?

[ELFMAN]

I agree Mike, MINI are at 'saturation point' now with their line up, and should concentrate on what they have, making sure that as well as making great cars, matters like customer service and reliability match the driving experience. That way, they'll keep their loyal customers and attract as many new ones as they would with something like the Rocketman.

[Duncan Stewart]

Why do we need the Rocketman when we already have the R56 range? The current MINI hatch isn't so big that it's unsuitable for 'city life', it's pretty reliable, it's frugal these days, you can get a reasonable amount of stuff in it given the boot's limited capacity and even I can park it, and I'm crap at parking. So why is there a need for a smaller - even less practical - variant? The Rocketman doesn't really bring anything new to the table, it won't do anything that the R56 doesn't already do, and in my opinion it's just there to get into yet another market segment which MINI seems to feel it's missing out on.

My understanding is the replacement for the R56 (due next year) will be bigger and based on a shared platform, thus creating "space" for a smaller car in the range.
I suspect this means a less unique driving experience and even higher prices

However maybe the rocketman will be smaller, less expensive and more unique to drive - maybe more like the mini and R50 MINI? - if so I will be having one

[Stewart]

So if the F56 is a bigger Hatch then why build this Countryman Coupe.

It must be one of the most confusing brands out.

So how do you market a Countryman Coupe- its Smaller than the 4 Door Countryman Counterpart but bigger than the new Hatch that is itself bigger from its predecessor but not as sporty as the Coupe, Roadster.

[Mon the fish]

The strategy translates as 'Just give us your money, we'll find a car for you'

Are any of these new models actually going to be better to drive? More fun?

[AndyP & Lenore]

I have to say that I kind of disagree with almost all the negative comments about MINI in this thread. I can't understand how it affects current MINI owners and why you would be so upset when MINI launch a new derivative of the MINI brand.

That said, the Countryman Coupe, to me, is the most utterly pointless car they've ever tested. Why not just buy a hatch? And there's nothing wrong with the Countryman 5 door in handling or looks so, what's the point?

But every other model, Roadster, Coupe, Convertible, Clubman, Countryman, even possibly the Rocketman if it's launched and of course the Hatch will suit a particular demographic and a specific 'need' for a MINI owner.

MINI are a commercial company. They MUST make a profit to survive. Simply throwing out hatches and nothing else gives them no scope to develop the brand or expand the brand.

Just sayin'

A.