MINI - it's not a car, it's a lifestyle
And the hype goes on… Y'know, I really like the MINI, probably because I'm a fan of the first-gen Mini (back when
they were actually small). And I admire BMW's clever approach to marketing the car. But at the end of the day, it's
just a car, people, it's not some sort of cult-like, all-encompassing belief system.
Well, apparently the folks at MINI USA want MINI to be a part of your life, even when you're nowhere near a road.
They've unveiled the 2006 MINI_motion line of MINI-wearables and lifestyle accessories, "designed to create a seamless
connection to life in constant motion."
The 2006 edition of the MINI_motion collection, originally launched in 2003, includes "urban adventurer" clothing,
MINI luggage, and a new version MINI_motion watch.
It's all available through www.minimotionusa.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
sxates 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Audi has an entire catalog of Audi-branded wares; clothes, watches, accessories, toys, everything you can imagine. Is this really new for a car company? Seems rather common.
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Thunder 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Call it a hunch, but I don't think mens underwear with the word "Mini" emblazoned on the fly would be a big seller...
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Edsel 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
The marketing mavens at Mini USA are shamefully oblivious of Mini's heritage and fashion influence. Their "store" does not feature a miniskirt whose "mini" moniker was adopted from the original Austin MINI name by British fashion designer Mary Quant.
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Strom 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
The people at the following web sites would disagree with your assessment that "its not some sort of cult-like, all-encompassing belief system":
http://www.motoringunderground.com/
northamericanmotoring.com
mini2.com
motoringfile.com
cooperspeed.com
gomotoring.com
teammightyminiz.com
Not to mention all of the regional MINI clubs. BTW - it wouldn't let me make all of those links, so I cut them down.
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stewie's sexy parties 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
how much does BMW charge to have the MINI logo removed and sew on TOOL?
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ZoomZoomin' 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
I have to say that I miss my MINI a bit every time I see a nice Cooper S on the road. It really is an exceptionally fun car...if they could just get the reliability up a bit...or a lot. Not neccessarily bulletproof, but maybe pebble proof.
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Adam T 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
As a MINI owner, I will say it's not JUST a car.
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TimW 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
hahaha... Thunder you beat me to it. I thought the exact same thing...
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Steve S 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Mini is the Mac of the car world.
A Camry is just a car but the Mini, Mustang, Vette, etc are cars that take on a life and community of their own. Buying a mini is a statement just like buying a prius is a statement. The accessories allow you to continue to make that statement when you are not in the vehicle.
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r rudorf 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
i have been a MINI fan for years and finally bought one in October. There is a real attachment. I have owned 17 cars in 28 years of driving and the MINI is by far and away the best experience i've had. It's like a drug. If you don't own one it is impossible to convey the attraction.
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Steve J 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
No, a MINI is not *just* a car, anymore than a 911 is just a car or a Corvette is just a car or a Karmann Ghia is just a car - or any other car that draws a devoted following.
As a car guy, Stuart, I'm amazed that you would say anything is "just a car." If that were the case, what would be the point of sports cars, roadsters, Evos and STi's, aftermarket accessories, hot rods, etc.? We'd all just be driving whatever happened to be the most utilitarian option.
People fall in love with their cars. People fall in love with cars they aspire to but can't own (I'm never going to own an Aston Martin, but that doesn't stop me from obsessing over them). That's part of the beauty of cars. That's what creates enthusiasts.
There aren't very many refrigerator enthusiasts or vacuum cleaner enthusiasts. That's because those things are *just* utilities. Cars are something much, much more, and that's why they get an emotional response. And that's why there's gobs of MINI gear, Porsche gear, Corvette gear, etc. that fans can buy to express their fondness for particular cars. (Incidentally, MINI has a long way to go to get anywhere near the amount of gear and the obsessiveness of those two cars I just mentioned.)
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Will Burnham 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
Would the owner of "just a car" do this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/manahanwill/69488418/in/set-1401520/
The MINI is a palette of self expression and creativity. I've owned a few other cars (Hondas and Saturns) and I have never decorated them, but I knew when I first saw the MINI on American shores in 2002 that I had to have one and that I would decorate it in a Star Wars theme.
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Stuart Waterman 10:50PM (12/18/2005)
All right, everyone! Consider me suitably chastised ;-)
Yes, Steve, I'm a car guy. Hell, I used to name my cars... I've just seen some hilarious bloopers in car companies trying to extend their brand to "lifestyle" gear - Cadillac bicycles come to mind. I also place a premium on function over brand, and it's my observation that most (not all) car-branded gear is overpriced for its functional abilities.
All that aside, I've been looking for the right used MINI Cooper S for months. Without success, so far, but the search goes on...
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Scott Taylor 8:22PM (1/01/2006)
Have owned all variety of cars, and driven countless more I'll say this the MINI is incredible and far more than just a car. I have two other cars in my garage a 1969 911E, and a 1964 Ford Galaxie powered by a heavily massaged 428 (car build still in progress). While I LOVE the 911 and would possibly sell my soul to purchase a new turbo s, the MINI transcends these cars into a lifestyle. For instance take the countless hours of fun you can have playing around on MINI's web site, and I don't think any car company has come up with something as funny as counterfeitmini.org. Then you take into account the MINI web site will chastise you for spending too much time online. I think the car has become an obsession, and MINI (BMW) has done everthing in their power to make it this way. Will or would I buy MINI brand clothes and etc.?A t-shirt or ball cap sure, any thing more I don't really know but I doubt it. Porsche sells every imaginable accessory, but I severly limit the stuff I buy from them because I think wearing Porsche apparel makes you look like an arrogant !@##$# (fill in your favorite deragatory expletive here). Back to the MINI stuff, as long as the stuff they are marketing is actually MINI related and towards the lifestyle that the company seems inclined to promote, I see good for them. And unlike the Porsche, MINI stuff seems to have happy positive vibes.
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