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Opel is now the sixth brand to announce a vehicle world premiere for the Geneva motor show. The media preview days are 5 & 6 March.

Infiniti is now the fifth brand to announce a vehicle world premiere for the Geneva motor show. The media preview days are 5 & 6 March.

Renault is now the fourth brand to announce a vehicle world premiere for the Geneva motor show. The media preview days are 5 & 6 March.

Skoda is the third brand to announce a vehicle world premiere for the Geneva motor show. The media preview days are 5 & 6 March.

PSA is the second manufacturer to announce a vehicle world premiere for the Geneva motor show. The media preview days are 5 & 6 March.

Chery Auto is the first manufacturer to reveal details of a vehicle world premiere for next year's Geneva motor show. The media preview days are 5 & 6 March.

News 7 Nov, 2012

Lexus has expanded its CT 200h line-up, with a new trim level that adds lots of kit for an extra £500

Pictures 7 Nov, 2012

Qoros Auto Company, a new division of Chery Auto, has announced plans to launch its first model at the Geneva motor show next March. The car, a C-segment sedan, will be "aimed at discerning young buyers in China and Europe".

Renault and Caterham Car, the UK sports car manufacturer owned by Malaysian businessman Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, have agreed to form a joint venture to develop and produce sports vehicles and city cars in Malaysia as well as France.

New estimates from data firm Carfax suggest that the number of vehicles flooded and destroyed by Hurricane Sandy in the US may 'greatly' exceed the 640,000 units destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

One of Renault's major unions is claiming the automaker is using the current economic difficulties in France to impose new conditions, as the manufacturer concluded the first of several key meetings with its labour bodies.

The next generation Chevrolet Cruze, due in late 2014, will not be built at General Motors' South Korean unit. Instead some production is expected to be moved to an Opel factory in Europe.

Daimler's premium brand, Mercedes, sold 6 percent more cars globally in October, but endured another weak month in the key growth market of China.

News 8 Nov, 2012

Study claims poorer families are at greater risk of injury on our roads

President Barack Obama's second term likely will include a return to an agenda of support for electric vehicles and also could clear the way for new rules on tailpipe emissions and auto safety that his appointees have been eager to release.

Hyundai Motor and its affiliate Kia Motors stand to fork over about $100 million to compensate consumers after overstating fuel economy claims on several models, Moody's Investors Service said.

It's a small stumbling block in the mountain of problems plaguing Suzuki in America, but its ugly fallout with partner Volkswagen made it even more untenable for the Japanese carmaker to keep selling cars in the United States. With VW gone, the U.S.

Australian supplier Autodom was thrown a lifeline when local units of Ford and GM agreed to underwrite the company's $6.5 million debt to avoid a crippling vehicle production shutdown.

Just when you thought there couldn't possibly be another MINI, there it is! That's right, BMW has released the brand new (though eerily similar to the Clubman) 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan. Just as the Clubman brought to mind images of the '60s-era Morris Mini Traveller, the Clubvan is meant to conjure up that image once again with even more purpose.


Aimed more towards hip, cool business needs than the average family consumer, the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan offers a stylish option for commercial applications. With exactly the same dimensions as the MINI Cooper Clubman, the main difference lays in the removal of the rear seats (for more cargo room) and the rear side windows are blocked-out with body-coloured polycarbonate reinforcement. This makes the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan the ideal marketing tool (it's sides are a great canvous for company logos and contact info) while also keeping your cargo in complete privacy with all windows covered.

So, with the rear seats removed, how much room does the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan really have? Because the Clubvan features a partition directly behind the driver and front passenger's seats, the entire cargo area can be loaded up to the roof which means this MINI has some serioulsy non-mini cargo volume at 860 litres, and a max payload capacity of up to 500kg.

Those are some big and heavy numbers for a MINI, which is why it's clear BMW had businesses in mind when they released the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan.

As far as the dash is concerned in the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan, you'll instantly recognize it as a MINI because it looks the same as its stablemates. From the centre-mounted speedometer to the rounded door accents, it's standard MINI fare.

Four body colours are available on the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan: Pepper White, Ice Blue, British Racing Green and Midnight Black. The body colour is then mimicked on the roof, mirror caps and rear windows. Unique to the Clubvan are its 15” Delta-spoke wheels. Options are not as plentiful on the Clubvan, but then as a work vehicle they shouldn't need to be.

Just as the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan shares its shape and look with the Clubman, it also shares its engine which is the same 4-cylinder 1.6L found in the Clubman. With 121 horsepower and 115 lb-ft of torque, the MINI Cooper Clubvan offers just the right amount of power to get your high-end goods to your customers on time and in one piece.

Why add another MINI to a stable already loaded to the brim? Well, BMW is targeting urban, high-end businesses (photographers, architects, florists, upscale bakeries) who want to make an impression on their customers with a delivery vehicle that has as much flare and fun as their product.

Pricing will be announced when the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan becomes available later this year.

This makes the 2013 MINI Cooper Clubvan the ideal marketing tool.(Photo: MINI)