Dealerships Sue BMW Over Failure Of The Mini Brand In the US

BMW’s effort to shore up dealer profitability for its Mini brand is not going over well with some retailers.

A past chairman of the Mini dealer council has sued BMW of North America, alleging that BMW breached its dealership agreement by failing to promote and develop the Mini brand.

David Peterson’s Mini of Louisville store in Kentucky is one of five U.S. Mini dealerships that have closed in recent months amid anemic sales and dwindling profitability. Peterson and his company, Peterson Motorcars, filed a suit in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, saying BMW has not sufficiently advertised Mini and its vehicles and is helping only some Mini dealers by allowing integration with BMW dealerships.

mre30 - 6/24/2019 11:18:49 AM

-2 Boost

Smart got shut down, Mini needs to get shut down also.

BMW should start writing checks to Mini dealers to make this problem go away.

BMW has done a terrible job with the Mini brand. They have also done a pretty bad job with Rolls Royce but at least Rolls can share parts with the 7-Series and X7.

The front wheel drive Mini platform never had any congruence with BMW's other offerings so it quickly became the ugly step-child.

mre30 - 6/24/2019 11:19:50 AM

-1 Boost

BMW should have sold Mini to Tata a few years ago when Tata was flush with Jaguar/LR. Now Tata has its problems so there will likely not be any buyers for Mini.

AutoAficionado - 6/24/2019 12:01:37 PM

-4 Boost

If BREXIT succeeds, it would be the final axe in Mini. BMW should try to sell the brand. Chances are China might buy since China has been on a shopping spree.

MDarringer - 6/25/2019 9:02:00 AM

0 Boost

Actually, Brexit will be an economic boon to Mini.

valhallakey - 6/24/2019 12:04:58 PM

+3 Boost

Well it started with a bang, but it turned out to be difficult to update the styling or increase the vehicle types people would associate with Mini. Then they produced very odd styled models like the 2 door SUV Paceman and the oddball Coupe model. I do wish they had done the Superleggera before they ran out of steam.

CarCrazedinCali - 6/24/2019 2:36:37 PM

+3 Boost

MINI won't succeed in all parts of the US due to the small size and customer preference for larger vehicles. I have sold them for over 11 years in NorCal and enjoyed success. Keep up the good work MINI!

MDarringer - 6/24/2019 6:02:39 PM

0 Boost

Mini's time in the sun is OVER. It was trendy 10 years ago to own a Mini, but now owning one makes you an anachronism.

MDarringer - 6/24/2019 6:05:29 PM

-2 Boost

Mini should have been a model sold by BMW dealers and not a stand-alone brand.

skytop - 6/24/2019 8:50:51 PM

0 Boost

Mini is TOO MINIATURE for the U.S. market who want larger vehicles with adequate interior space. The Mini time has come and gone. Nobody buys small TV's or small cars.