MINI Cooper named "Best Small Specialty Car" in latest study

Strategic Vision's 2003 Total Value Index(tm) Gives MINI Cooper Second
Highest Rating Overall The MINI Cooper has scored extremely well in
Strategic Vision's 2003 Total Value Index(tm) (TVI). The index measures
buyers' views of whether they got their money's worth from their car
purchase. The index is calculated by correlating all economic issues
against the quality of the ownership experience. This award follows
MINI's previous segment-topping position in Strategic Vision's 2003
Total Delight Index. Questioning over 63,000 for the Total Value Index,
the MINI Cooper (814) was named "Best Small Specialty Car"
and came in second overall-only marginally behind the Audi TT Roadster
(817), which offered higher price incentives. The study measures both
immediate economics (value for the money, affordability, price/deal
offered, warranty and standard equipment level) and expected economics
(durability, future trade-in, mileage, economical to own and
reliability). "Consumers don't measure value just in dollars and
cents," says Dr. Darrel Edwards, Strategic Vision president.
"It's what you get for your money. Thus you can't calculate value
without the quality, including the emotional response, buyers perceive
in the complete ownership experience." Buyers participating in the
study purchased their new vehicles between October 2002 and March 2003.
They had at least 90 days of ownership experience before they were
queried. All Total Value Award(tm) winners had to be 2003 models. The
top ten scoring vehicles are: MODEL TVI MEDIAN PRICE % INCENTIVES Audi
TT Roadster 817 $ 38,500* 42%* MINI Cooper 814 $ 23,000 2% Lexus GS
300/430 812 $ 41,600 27% Acura RSX 811 $ 23,000 19% Audi TT Coupe* 805 $
38,500* 42%* Honda Accord 803 $ 23,000 19% Audi A4 800 $ 32,000 34%
Lexus ES 300 798 $ 34,900 23% BMW Z4 797 $ 43,000 16% Infiniti G35 793 $
35,000 15% Mercedes Benz SL 793 $100,000 5% * Weighted average for TT
Coupe and Roadster