Mini PH records sales growth as BGC showroom officially inaugurated

MANILA: Mini Philippines has recorded a near 31-percent increase in 2022 compared to the previous year.

This was announced by Mini Asia Head, Kidd Yam, at a recent event officially recognizing Mini BGC as part of the family of the British auto marque’s showrooms in Southeast Asia. Mini BGC opened in December 2022 and is the largest showroom of the brand in the Philippines, Mini Philippines said in a release.

“Mini Philippines achieved one of largest growth in the [Southeast Asian> region… We’re talking about close to 31-percent growth versus the year before,” Yam announced during the event at Mini BGC.

Speaking to journalists present at the event including Zigwheels Philippines, Yam explained that the Mini Countryman was the biggest driver of the brand’s growth and it is followed by the “iconic” Mini 3-Door.

The Mini Asia leadership expounded that this is after it took some time for customers to warm up to the idea of Mini crossover. In terms of the company's customers in the Philippine market, compared to the others in the region, customers own a “Mini as a second or third car,” Yam answered a question from this outlet.

Mini Electric coming to the Philippines soon?

As the Mini Asia head handed over the plaque recognizing Mini BGC as an official dealer in the region to Mini Philippines President, Willy Tee Ten, Yam addressed the questions regarding the arrival of the Mini Electric.

According to the brand’s Asia head, the electric Mini will not arrive this 2023. He cited the charging infrastructure in the country as one of the issues for its non-arrival, and while he and other brand officials did not say when exactly the EV will be introduced, Yam expressed some events that could suggest the Mini Electric’s eventual local launch.

“From 2030 onwards, all Mini models will be electric-powered,” Yam announced, and added that it is only seven years from today.

“And I just got informed that the government of the Philippines has announced some incentives [temporary zero tariff> for electric vehicles… so this bodes well for Mini Philippines to bring [EVs> to the market. I can’t say when… but please be patient, exciting Mini models will come your way soon,” Yam expressed.

Mini Electric

In 2019, Mini introduced its first entirely electric vehicle as the world faces new environmental, social, and economic concerns. The Oxford plant started making the EV in late 2019, and the first delivery came in 2020. It performs similarly to the hot-hatch Mini Cooper S and is utterly a Mini.

With a few notable exceptions, the Mini Electric and 3-Door Hatch have the same basic body structure. Along with the tailgate and front radiator grille, the car's side scuttles also have an imprinted Mini Electric emblem.

Due to the car's reduced cooling needs, the front grille is closed but still has the distinctive hexagonal form. The enclosed undercarriage, the rear apron, and the optional special 17-inch Mini Electric Corona Spoke 2-tone wheels all contribute to the vehicle's superb aerodynamics.

The gasoline filler would typically be above the right-hand rear wheel; instead, there is a charging port there. Trunk space in electric vehicles is sometimes sacrificed, but the Mini Electric maintains the 211 liters of the full Mini Hatch, increasing to 731 liters when the rear backrests are folded down.

The Mini Electric's battery pack features 12 modules of lithium-ion cells organized in a T-shaped unit beneath the back seats and between the front seats, with a total battery capacity of 32.6 kWh.

 

The motor, which has a maximum output of 184 horsepower and a maximum torque of 270 Nm, is the most recent and potent model of the synchronous electric motor created by the BMW Group. As a result, it takes the car just 7.3 seconds to reach 100 kph. Another statistic is the range, with the EV packing a manufacturer-claimed range of 114 miles (around 183 km).

The motor support frame and a strengthened bumper carrier guard the power electronics, while a sturdy base plate shields the high-voltage battery. The Mini Electric is only 145 kilos heavier than the current Mini Cooper S 3-Door with Automatic gearbox, weighing 1,365 kilograms when empty.

Thanks to revolutionary suspension technology created specifically for this model, electric propulsion elevates the iconic Mini go-kart driving experience. The new Mini Electric achieves remarkable driving characteristics because of its near-perfect weight distribution and center of gravity that is at least 30 millimeters lower than that of the Cooper S. This is made possible by the electric motor's reduction of weight over the front wheels.

The automobile comes equipped with four Mini Driving Modes, which may be chosen with a switch on the right side of the toggle bar. The steering is more direct and the power delivery is quicker in sport mode. In the Mid setting, the steering is less assertive, and in the Green mode, the accelerator is activated more gently. To further conserve electricity and extend range, Green+ mode restricts or disables various comfort features like air conditioning.

Mini BGC

Mini showroom is the only Mini dealership in Metro Manila with after sales services, lifestyle and lounge areas, and future-ready amenities.

After a brief stint in Eastwood City, Willy Tee Ten, President of Mini Philippines, declared that Mini BGC is now the company's permanent residence in Manila. It has new designs and amenities that are consistent with the new corporate brand of Mini Global in addition to being the largest Mini showroom in the nation for the enjoyment of Mini aficionados.

Spanning 753 square meters, Mini BGC can house up to four display cars, has a large spacious area to receive guests, and a roof deck that serves as a venue for Mini activations and events. For customers, a wide variety of merchandise is available for purchase from the Mini Lifestyle Collection, such as luggage, shirts, jackets, and more.

For those customers looking to give their favorite rides some care and attention, the new Bonifacio Global City showroom has a service center to handle quick services, while more extensive jobs will still be conducted at the service factory.

Finally, as sustainability is the name of the game, the showroom will be equipped for the future. Electric vehicle charging points will soon be installed, Mini Philippines said — further underscoring the arrival of EVs from the brand.

The ceremony was attended by Mini Philippines officials, Willy Tee Ten, President, and Jefferson Lizardo, General Manager. Joining the launch from Mini Asia were Kidd Yam and Samantha Ang, Sales Manager. 

Photos from Mini, Autohub Group

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