The history of the MINI Cooper has been one that has seen
the model rise from a racing car variation on Mini origins, through to being
one of the most iconic vehicles of the 1960s. More recently, the MINI Cooper
has formed part of BMW’s takeover and re-launch of the marque in the 2000s as a
series of Cooper and Cooper S variants, which have aligned with the success of
the Mini Hatch and other models.
"The unique selling proposition that Mini stands for
-- the agility, versatility and fun to drive -- that excitement has not been
able to translate to other brands," said Ludwig Willisch, CEO of BMW of
North America.
It is quite understandable that the miniature and mobile
cars instantly became popular in heavily populated cities, where parking is a
huge problem. To emphasize the cars unique ability to park in very limited
spaces, Mini applied the fake April’s Fool advertising in Australia.
April 1, 2003, the new breakthrough carmaker Mini placed
a number of ads in several Australian newspapers, promoting the new Mini
Cooper. They promised to end parking hassles and introduced its new
space-saving technology: "vertical parking locator" (VPL) and touted
the new development of vertical parking lots on the sides of buildings.
The press release stated:
The world-first VPL
allows MINI Coopers to be parked vertically against walls, thus saving
substantial parking space. ASC+T-backed VPL gives MINIs sufficient traction to
attain and maintain an erect parking position and to cling securely to the side
of the designated building. All-but seamless in operation, VPL makes its
presence felt via a subtle frisson of vibration as the traction system is
activated. A warning jingle recorded by a string quartet in the key of G also
sounds.
To enhance the gag even further, MINI fixed one of its
cars to the side of a building in George Street, Sydney. It was quite
effective, even though it is completely impossible.
Well, while vertical parking is still a funny fiction,
MINI parking ability is indeed incredible. Watch the parking competition and Guinness
Records, related to MINI parking achievements.
In 2012, Chinese master Han Yue managed to park into a
space of just 15 cm (5.91 in) longer than his vehicle.
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