I think the question of the nationality of a car cannot easily be answered 
any more. 
The MINI is a mixed bag of heritage in terms of designers, parts, 
put-to-gether-s and ancestory.  I do think that it has enough resemblance to 
the old Mini to not be a rip-off, I also think BMW will never establish it as 
a big enough brand to make real money (but I have been wrong before).
In essence forgetting nationalities of those who designed it, produce it and 
so on the key point is that:
        IT IS MEANT TO BE A BRITISH CAR RECOGNISED AS BEING BRITISH
I think the Japanese haven't learnt that making something 'better' may 
actually produce crap.
I also think that Ford are making a mistake with small Jags.  I mean, who 
wants a Jag if any fool can afford one?  Just like who wants a BMW if any 
fool can afford one?  Take Aston Martin or Ferrari - how much do the cars 
really cost to make?  I guess not far off the same as a Jag XK8 or Maserati 
3200 but they sell them for more money simply because they can and it keeps a 
niche in the market.
Daniel1312
In a message dated 31/03/01 13:18:05 Pacific Standard Time, sam@hochberg.com 
writes:
<< Is the new Mini, from a German parent company with Brazilian engines from 
a US-related company,
 still even a British Car? >>
///
///  (If they are dupes, this trailer may also catch them.)
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