By Violet Ooi
BMW Group Malaysia today introduced the new MINI 5-Door, the second body variant of the third generation MINI.
Speaking at the launch today at KLCC Multi-level Car Park, Alan Harris, the managing director of BMW Group Malaysia, said that BMW is excited to continue providing loyal customers a wider range of premium small car brand in the world.
“We believe that the new MINI 5-Door will further demonstrate superior qualities of the brand’s hallmark driving excitement, particularly with its evolutionary exterior design advancements and characteristic brand styling,” said Harris.
The new MINI expands its exterior dimensions. Compared to its original three-door model, the MINI 5-Door is 16 cm longer than the original MINI Hatch; thus the extended body length is able to accommodate the additional two-door option, along with increased luggage compartment volume.
Harris added that the MINI 5-Door will appeal to Malaysians and is the perfect car for the small urban, modern Malaysian family for everyday use, particularly those who are “interested and passionate about the iconic MINI brand, who need the extra practicality but not in the mood of buying a bigger car”.
“We believe that this car will be very successful for us. It is clear that in the small car segment, Malaysians prefer the 5-door option,” he said.
When asked about BMW’s strategy in bringing many new car models into the Malaysian market this year alone, Harris said that BMW works very hard to bring BMW to where it deserves to be — as the No. 1 premium brand in the marketplace. “We believe that is BMW’s rightful place and our strategy going forward would be trying to secure that in a sustainable fashion.”
“We also believe that the market here in Malaysia is developing, people’s taste are developing, the need for efficient vehicles is developing, and the government policy now is also aimed at creating demand for energy efficiency vehicles. We believe we can lead here in Malaysia with that strategy,” said Harris, while adding that BMW’s intention is to bring more energy-efficient vehicles to the marketplace over the next few years.
“We are currently in negotiation with the government to allow us to do that.”
When asked if the introduction of the goods and services tax (GST) would affect sales, Harris said that there are definitely some uncertainties in the marketplace over GST.
“There is a lot of misinformation over what effect the GST will have on the price of car. In that respect, there will be effect on sales especially in the first quarter because this misinformation is affecting people in a way that they might wait until after April 1, 2015 to buy cars, but overall we are still expecting to achieve growth in the market. Therefore we expect ourselves to grow as well.”
The MINI 5-Door offers a 2.0 litre MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology petrol engine which is the same as the one introduced in the MINI (3-door) Hatch. Capable of achieving a top speed of 230km/h, its average fuel consumption reads 5.5 litres per 100km with CO2 emission of 129g/km.
Available in 11 exterior paint shades, the MINI 5-Door also comes with MINI inclusive service programme which offers comprehensive MINI after-sales care for three years or 50,000km.
The new MINI 5-Door will be available at all authorised MINI dealership nationwide starting Nov 15. Its estimated retail price starts at RM238,888.
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