DETROIT -- Mini expects to grow to 120 U.S. dealerships by 2012, up from 86 today, the brand's North American chief says. Mini currently plans to add 19 stores, said Jim McDowell, vice president for Mini at BMW of North America. He made the comments during a briefing here last week by BMW executives with the Automotive News staff. Most new stores are going in secondary markets where Mini ownership is high, McDowell said. Mini is expanding because of strong sales and growth in its product lineup, McDowell said. The brand also is ready to take advantage of the many closed and vacant dealerships caused by General Motors' and Chrysler's rejection of dealer franchises during bankruptcy. "As the market has gone through these changes, it has made real estate available for Mini in places where we want to be," McDowell said. For example, Mini will open a store in Birmingham, Ala., in a former Cadillac dealership and one in Alexandria, Va., on the site of a former Chrysler dealership. Mini's growing lineup will make it viable in new markets, he said. The brand plans a crossover in 2011 and will show a coupe concept at the Frankfurt auto show this month. Dave Guilford Automotive News September 7, 2009 - 12:01 am ET
I really hope they put one in the closed Saturn dealership in here in Carbondale, it's a nearly brand new building on a great location with a couple MINI owners transplanted from the Chicago area.