BMW has signalled its confidence in the new Mini, saying it will attract fleet operators when it goes on sale in summer 2001. New Minis will appear in showrooms in summer 2001, three months later than planned after a delay caused by switching production from Longbridge to Cowley.

'The Mini is going to be a very important addition for BMW when it goes on sale next year,' said a spokesman for BMW. We believe it will be of interest to fleets because of the demand from the car driving public and because prices for the car will begin at under £10,000.'

This confidence in the new Mini comes at the same time as the appointment of Trevor Houghton-Berry to general manager for the brand in the UK. Houghton-Berry joined BMW (GB) in June from Rover, where he was corporate sales manager, following roles at Mazda and Citroen. He will build a team within BMW GB, dedicated to marketing and selling Mini as an individual brand.

The Mini will make its first UK appearance at the Birmingham Motorshow on October 17, and trial production will begin early next year with the first cars going on sale in the summer. It will be distributed through BMW's dealer network in the UK, although each location will usually have a separate showroom and dedicated Mini staff. Meanwhile, the last old-style Mini will roll off the production line at Longbridge on October 4.