MINI Coupe, Roadster and Paceman May Be Discontinued
Mini is considering ditching the hatchback-based Coupe and Roadster variants along with the Countryman-based Paceman model, to focus on a three-car strategy.
According to the brand’s head of product management Oliver Friedmann, Mini is going to focus on a “three-pillar” strategy. The Mini hatchback and the larger Countryman were identified by Friedmann as two of those pillars, while the third is potentially a compact car based on the Clubman concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show.
The three-pillar focus leaves out the hatchback-based Coupe (seen above) and Roadster models, and when asked about them, Friedmann replied “It’s not decided but most probably this is not a priority.” The Paceman, which is essentially a coupe model of the five-door Countryman, “is also not a first priority,” according to Freidmann.
Sales wise, the Coupe and Roadster models sell only a fraction compared to the Mini hatchback, while the same goes for the Paceman compared to the Countryman.
GALLERY: MINI Clubman Concept
[Source: Auto News Europe]
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Stephen covers all of the day-to-day events of the industry as the News Editor at AutoGuide, along with being the AG truck expert. His truck knowledge comes from working long days on the woodlot with pickups and driving straight trucks professionally. When not at his desk, Steve can be found playing his bass or riding his snowmobile or Sea-Doo. Find Stephen on <A title="@Selmer07 on Twitter" href="http://www.twitter.com/selmer07">Twitter</A> and <A title="Stephen on Google+" href="http://plus.google.com/117833131531784822251?rel=author">Google+</A>
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Good. The Roadster with its bleak hat-turned-back aesthetic was just horrible.
I happen to love my Mini coup , sorry to see it go !