Quickly have flown by half-centuries, and, legendary Mini is removed from manufacture.
The representatives of Rover press centre have distributed the official message, in which is declared, that last Mini will leave from the conveyor in the autumn of this year. Somewhere from a beginning seventieth and before this time the machine repeatedly modernized, and as offered in "exclusive" editions. Such a Paul Smith and Classic. In last edition till September last set in some thousand machines will be assembled. The fans and collectors of Mini in the urgent order make out at the dealers the orders for machines from last set.
Such mark, untwisted in Europe, as Mini, guilty to bury simply so. Still that.
On change the new machine with the same name will come, and the official presentation of new generation Mini will pass in October, and certainly, in England, on motorshow in Birmingham.
Two years back I had information concerning a line of updatings of new generation Mini, which on that moment was already generated.
Base is Minor with 1,4-liter 90 PS (not bad for the Ka competitor, truth?), more high level of a complete set will have Cooper and Cooper S (two versions of one 1,6-liter - capacity 126 and 155 h.p., in the latter case - turbo).
Interesting innovation will be the red starter button on the lever of a box of transfers, and as installation as an option of a Steptronic. The similar boxes, by the way, do not put while on one of the competitors. CVT is absolutely another.
The engines are developed in cooperation with BMW and Chrysler, back suspension bracket BMW Z-axle, same, as on the new generation of third series. The machine will be equipped by the order with large canvas top.
The interior is very interesting on design - here designers have arranged also new Beetle and Yaris, let alone Renault Clio and especially Twingo. Three separate dials, original decision of the console, neonostalgic of the gearbox lever at the version Cooper S.
Besides on Mini for the first time is planned to establish... the BMW diesel with direct injection. The occurrence and updatings with the electric drive is expected which should arrive in sale somewhere in middle of the next year.
Partially automobile should undertake the certain quota of the potential Metro buyers. As well as removed Rover 100, also known as Metro, company will build new generation Mini on a skandal known Rover factory in Longbrige near Birmingham.
Let's recollect events of those years. Three Rover models, taken off then from range (series 600, 800 and three modifications of an old series 200), - were not the first victims of reforms spent by bavarians.
In April two years ago from the conveyor last representative of a Metro dynasty taking the beginning in 1980, - Rover of the 100 series has left. This automobile is a mirror of changes in this period of time with Britain and in Britain. Metro was replaced by new model seven years back, however on it there were no means, therefore repeatedly restyled 100 it was necessary "to pull" new "term". In total from the conveyor at Longbrige has left in total these 2.058.000 automobiles. The automobile was removed without replacement by new model of a similar class, therefore today it is possible confidently to speak that new Mini will replace also Metro, and old Mini simultaneously. That it is no wonder in light of last Rover style to develop machines for two classes at once, as in a case with 75.
Two years back then BMW Pischetsrider has told, that the factory in Longbrige can be rescued only with huge efforts and growth of a production efficiency. It is clear, that it meant, first of all, huge reductions.
"The BMW shareholders are not going to invest in unprofitable business ", - has declared Pischetsrider. From the party, Piter Mendelsohn, the minister of an industry of Great Britain, has declared, that government with this business to interfere is not going: "The future of a factory - in hands of the managers and workers, " - was told by he in the radiostatement.
He here was scarified John Redwood, with the minister of a shadow goverment: "I think, we are waited with a huge wave of dismissals. And, probably, to Mendelsohn it will be not possible "to wash hands" in this troble", - he has told.
The chapter of trade union of working automobile factories of Great Britain then too has acted with the application concerning a factory in Longbrige. He has told, that the workers accept the certain requirements of BMW administration, connected with increase of productivity, in exchange for the promises to do without reductions.
BMW threatened to close a factory, on which 17.000 men worked and to transfer manufacture to other enterprises. The BMW representatives met the representatives of administration of a factory. The trade union was ready to go on concessions, if the German company guarantees safety of workplaces.
After all it BMW has asked government of England to allocate of 177,6 million dollars (300 millions pounds) and to accept thus individual share in business of rescue of a factory in Longbrige and preservation of workplaces for its employees.
Probably, it was by the first symptom that BMW then, instead of now, as many homebrew auto analysts think, has bothered from the pocket "to feed" the giant of the British auto industry to itself in the loss.
Two years back huge financial losses, which has brought the companies of BMW branch Rover (because of low productivity, release old, of not best-selling models and amplification of a rate of pound) has forced the representatives of BMW administration to act with the menacing application: "Or the investments is necessary is healthy to reduce, or to dismiss a plenty of the people working at a unprofitable factory".
Nevertheless, the German auto manufacturer planned then to enclose about 592 million dollars (1 billion pounds) in a builded factory in Harms and to let out there new Mini and other models, which owe will appear in the market in 2000-� to year. As we see, has done without - in Harms Mini will not let out, and Longbrige"have defended" by Rover. Even moreover. The success of new generation Mini at least in the European market already today is obvious, therefore the businesses at Longbrige factory quickly and correctly will go to a mountain this year.
New Mini not such mini. Its length of 3,6 meters is more, than at the predecessor. The closed three-door version is at present approved to release only. An opportunity of manufacturing of the versions with cabrio and van bodies, and as MPV on this platform while are in a stage of consideration. If market managers of the company will come to the conclusion about expediency of release of these updatings, they, undoubtedly, will go to a series.
Two years back then Rover chief Walter Hasselcus did not hide the ambitions concerning commercial success of new model. He expected volume of sales about 300.000 of new model annually. By the way, about sales. Presumable time of their beginning - spring of the next year.
It is interesting, that the opportunity of deliveries Mini to USA - is considered it is visible, to Rover and its owners - bavarians - do not give quietly to sleep laurels of new Beetle. But if first Beetle have begun to deliver on the American market from the end of the fortieth years, Mini on this market is beginner, it excellently know in Europe, however in States it a little who knows. So to speak about success of new generation Mini behind ocean while it is difficult. All will depend from advertising company, which, according to the US chapter of BMW branch Tom Purves, the BMW dealers will engage in. Earlier, by the way, the connection Land-Rover dealers was planned too, but now they worship to another pharaon.
And still in any case in USA new Mini hardly it will be possible to encroach on "crown" cult there of Beetle.
by Denis SKOROBOGATIY
