Let MINI Cooper Show You How To Get The Last Parking Spot On The Block
WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., Nov. 24, 2003 -- If everyone in the nation drove a MINI Cooper, imagine how stress-free the holidays could be! With parking spaces in short supply, and holiday shoppers attempting to parallel park large cars in spaces made for a MINI, the holidays can be a time of short fuses and hot tempers.
According to Michael McHale, Communications Manager for MINI USA, parallel parking is a forgotten "art" that clogs up city arteries and gets people hot under the collar. "There are very definite ways of negotiating a parking space that are essential to city driving," says McHale. "Of course, driving a MINI is a great way of pulling into any parking space, but short of that, any driver can be an ace parker." McHale suggests the following simple steps:
* Once you've found a space that's at least six feet longer than your
car, apply your brakes and your directional so that the car behind you
is aware of your intention to park
* Pull up so that your rear wheels are parallel with the rear bumper of
the car in front of the parking space -- keeping about 3 feet between
the two cars.
* Put your car into reverse and turn the steering wheel all the way
to the right.
* Back up slowly so that your car is at a 45-degree angle from the car
in front of you and stop. (Your car will be sticking out into the
street at this point, so be aware of street traffic.)
* Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left while rolling
backwards very slightly.
* Continue slowly backing up into the space until you are parallel with
the curb, and about 12 inches from it.
* If you start off short or are too far from the curb, it's often
smarter to start the park all over again. Practice makes perfect with
parallel parking.
McHale also suggests putting a MINI on your list to Santa. With ample seating for four, rear seats that fold down to allow for all your holiday shopping, maximized grip and maneuverability and an economical 142.8-inch length, the MINI can park where most cars fear to go.
Here are some additional tips for keeping your Holiday driving happy:
* Plan your route before you leave.
* Plan alternate routes.
* Listen to traffic reports and go online.
* Give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going.
* Keep a charged cell phone and hands free ear piece in your car.
* Go to the restroom before you leave.
* Be familiar with traffic patterns and traffic signage.
* Let the other person have the right of way - even if you're in
the right.
* Practice parallel parking before you need to attempt it on a busy
city street.
* Remember where you park - write it down.
* Be sure to have your most up-to-date license, insurance card and
registration with you at all times.
MINI In The United States
The MINI made its reentry into the U.S. market in March 2002 with the all-new MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S. The smallest car on American roads had a 2003 starting price of $16,975, and took the automotive world by storm with over 30,000 sold in the U.S. alone in its inaugural year.
MINI's origins began in the late 1950s as a new type of car designed to combat the Suez fuel crisis. The Classic Mini continues to be Britain's best-selling car ever. With over 5 million sold in the UK alone, the car remains a cultural icon around the world, driven by everyone from The Beatles to British Royalty. The Classic version was sold in the U.S. from 1960-1967 and still enjoys a cult following to this day.
MINI USA operates as an autonomous division of BMW of North America, LLC. MINI branded products are sold in the US via a select network of MINI dealers. Each MINI dealer has a sales environment and staffing exclusively dedicated to the franchise. MINI is on the web at www.miniusa.com and the call center number is 1-866-ASKMINI.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America has been present in the United States since 1975. Since then, the BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations for the BMW and MINI brands; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. The BMW Group is represented in the U.S. through networks of 340 BMW car, 327 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle, 148 BMW Motorcycle retailers and 70 MINI car dealers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via the Internet at http://www.bmwusa.com/ http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/ and http://www.miniusa.com/
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NOTE TO EDITORS: MINI is presented in capital letters. As MINI is a distinct brand of the BMW Group it is incorrect to describe MINI products as (e.g.) 'BMW MINI Cooper'. For reference, it is correct to say that MINIs are made by the BMW Group. Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address - www.press.bmwgroup.com.
