'Mini' gets bigger and more tech savvy

BMW unveils a more fuel efficient and tech savvy third-generation version of its Mini. Jim Boulden has details.

3 new hatchback models, but still a mini.

A new mini hatch is the next chapter in 54 years of mini tradition.

The new mini hatchbacks also continue a tradition by its BMW owners. It keeps getting just a little bit bigger.

This was really our key focus to make sure that the interior volume on this design is at the point where you can say this is a real 4 person car, that you this 30 mm longer wheelbase, it really gives you that knee space in the back.

Some of the technology improvements are already available in bigger luxury models, but mini is said to be ahead of other small car makers when it comes to the infotainment offerings around the steering wheel.

Many can I say was already there, but they’ve just updated it, they’ve given it a new controller, and critically one of the most important things they've done is that they’ve added support for android smart phones.

The press of the world paid tribute to the Morris Mini-Minor.

BMW acquired the Mini marque in 1994, and rebuild it from the ground up, re-launching the brand in 2001. Since then, BMW has produced more than 2.4 million minis, nearly 1.9 million exported. The United States is the biggest market, and 14% of all cars made in the United Kingdom in 2012 were minis. And BMW says 1 in 6 of the autos it makes are minis.

Mini brought up the quintessential British bulldog to show just how British the car is. But in fact, it’s also manufactured in Austria, and starting next year, Minis will also be manufactured in the Netherlands. Designed in the UK, if not all made here anymore.

Well, that’s a company making the best use of manufacturing, but you know, BMW invested 500,000,000 pounds in this plant alone. That is a huge sign on the confidence in the United Kingdom.

Britain now has to reply on non-British players to invest in its auto factories, including BMW. But its economy is growing faster this year than originally estimated. And resurgent car production is playing its parts. Mini sales hit a record for the 1st 10 months of this year.

Jim Boulden, CNN, Oxford, England.