• Mini sales up 40 percent in 2005
• Cabrio and John Cooper Works kits rev up sales
• Mini Characters add new dimension to Mini for 2006

Mini in Australia has enjoyed its best year ever with a total of 2,097 cars delivered in 2005.

This increase on 1,499 cars delivered in 2004 was due to the arrival of the Mini Cooper Cabrio and Mini Cooper S Cabrio models at the start of the year.

Mini hardtop sales were undaunted by the arrival of the cabrio models, with sales as strong as in previous years. In all, 675 Mini Cabrio models were snapped up by customers.

Mini has experienced continuous growth across the world every year since the brand’s launch in 2001. Mini is now sold in 70 countries.

More than 200,000 Mini models leapt out of the Oxford Plant in England during 2005, another record, and double the original estimate.

Sports-minded buyers can opt for a wide range of performance enhancing features from the factory-approved John Cooper Works range.

In late 2005, the first factory produced 154 kW Mini Cooper S models with John Cooper Works Tuning Kits arrived in Australia, complete with John Cooper Works brake upgrade package. Previously the John Cooper Works Tuning Kit was fitted by Mini dealers in Australia. These kits will continue to be available for retrofitting.

Mini will introduce two new 'Character' models in 2006. There will be Mini Park Lane and Mini Checkmate.

Mini Park Lane and Mini Checkmate will be available in normally-aspirated Mini Cooper guise as well as the supercharged 125 kW Mini Cooper S. They can also be ordered with the John Cooper Works engine and brake upgrade package for Mini Cooper S models, direct from the factory.

Mini Characters will join the standard and Chilli models in the hardtop line-up in February after a debut at the Melbourne International Motor Show.

“Mini is a supercharged success in Australia,” says Justin Hocevar, National Manager Mini.

“Customers love the ability to personalise their car, and the arrival of the Mini Characters and the availability of the 154 kW Mini Cooper S with John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will add even more individuality."

2006 Mini Checkmate

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29th December, 2005
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28th December, 2005
The Cliff Richard Tennis Classic used five vehicles loaned by Peugeot at the recently staged event ..... more

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28th December, 2005
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New Audi RS 4 Supercar
27th December, 2005
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Volkswagen Back In First Place In Europe
26th December, 2005
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Mustang Lets Kids Put The Pedal To The Metal
25th December, 2005
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Audi S8 is Show-Stopper for Melbourne 2006
23rd December, 2005
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Mitsubishi Motors Announces Production,
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23rd December, 2005
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21st December, 2005
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21st December, 2005
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Audi's Capital Expenditure To Remain High
19th December, 2005
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Mazda RX-8 Revelation
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VW EcoRacer Successfully Finishes First Test
16th December, 2005
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15th December, 2005
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Audi To Compete With Diesel At Le Mans
14th December, 2005
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Mitsubishi Outlander Tops 10,000 Orders
12th December, 2005
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Pricing For 2006 Ford Fiesta
11th December, 2005
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Audi On Target For New Record
11th December, 2005
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8th December, 2005
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Holden Takes On Global Design Role
8th December, 2005
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Peugeot 407 Coupé – 5 Stars for Euroncap
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6th December, 2005
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Safer car design has cut road casualties
4th December, 2005
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Holden Celebrates Four Millionth Export Engine
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Morgan 4/4 70th Anniversary Model
3rd December, 2005
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Peugeot Round Australia Trial 50th Anniversary
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