MINI COOPER MOST APPEALING COMPACT CAR FIVE YEARS STRAIGHT

The 2006 J.D. Power and Associates (APEAL) Study Ranks MINI Cooper Highest in
Segment

Woodcliff Lake, NJ - June 30, 2006... For an impressive fifth year in a row,
the MINI Cooper ranked highest in the Compact Car Segment in J.D. Power and
Associates latest Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study.
This is one of only two cars in the history of the APEAL study to achieve this
status. The study measures owners' delight with the design, content, layout
and performance of their new vehicles.

MINI continues to successfully attract buyers with a fun, unique design that
celebrates the cars' compact dimensions, and is instantly recognizable as a
MINI. The wheels at the four corners, along with a responsive chassis, give
MINI its go-kart-like performance - another appeal that has drawn customers to
MINI. And customers also enjoy the freedom to individualize the content of
their MINI with every option offered a-la-carte. Fans of top-down motoring can
enjoy this same appeal with the MINI Cooper and Cooper S Convertibles.

"To receive this award for the fifth year in a row - every year since MINI
arrived in the U.S. - is extremely gratifying," said Jim McDowell, vice
president of MINI USA. "It is a true testament of how much delight owners
experience with their MINIs and it underscores the performance, fun and value
our cars provide to them."

The APEAL Study, now in its 11th year, is based on responses from more than
63,000 new-vehicle owners during the first 90 days of ownership. The study
which has been enhanced for 2006 includes ten specific categories of vehicle
performance and design that identify what consumers like and dislike about
their new vehicles. The areas are: Vehicle exterior, driving dynamics, Vehicle
interior, Engine/transmission, Visibility and driving safety, HVAC, Storage and
space, Audio/entertainment/navigation, Seats and Fuel economy.