Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Being transported to the port of exit!

Status update! 1-866-Ask-MINI tells me that my MINI is "being transported to the port of exit."! Woot! It's finally on a freight train moving from Magna Steyr factory in Graz to port of exit in Bremerhaven, Germany. Hopefully, it will only sit on the port lot only for a short period of time before it leaves the port of Bremerhaven.

Check out my previous status update highlighting the journey from Graz to Bremerhaven!

MINI designers look for inspiration from... Mickey Mouse?

As a designer, inspirations are very valuable. They are like food for creativity. They can truly get your creative juices flowing in you brain. They can also come from anywhere & everywhere... including Disney's classic! I can't stop myself from imagining a MINI interior designer sitting down at his desk watching Disney's Mickey Mouse as he was sketching the center multimedia screen/speedometer/air vents cluster design!

VIDEO :: MINI Countryman Wanderlust: Dream - Strawberry

MINI is promoting MINI Countryman Wanderlust campaign with this 'lustful' spot. Funny or Lame? you can be the judge of it.

BTW, if you haven't already, Vote for CountrymanMotoring's Wanderlust Event No. 1!

Follow the jump for youtube clip

VIDEO :: MINI Countryman 5 star crash test rating from EURO NCAP

MINI, despite being 'mini' and small, is one heck of a engineered and manufactured car, and safety is something the engineers did not miss out. Since the first generation of new MINI (R50), it has been receiving high scores in various crash tests around the world and proving its safety in the real world. The new MINI Countryman (R60) is no different as it currently holds 5 stars from European NCAP, the highest rating it can earn. The European NCAP test (European New Car Assessment Programme) is viewed as one of the most strict and comprehensive crash test in the world. No one should ever test one out by themselves, but it certainly can provide a piece of mind and highest protection in case of unforeseen event.

Follow the jump to view the crash test video and complete result

MINI Countryman Wanderlust campaign with a chance to win your own Countryman!

MINI asks you, "What is MINI Countryman Wanderlust?"  MINI Countryman Wanderlust campaign, just launched on April 4, asks you to dream up your escape from the mundane day-to-day and celebrating freedom. The site will let you create you own event page and share with the community via Facebook and MINI Space. The events with the most votes can win you a cool weekly prize and even better, if you turn your idea into a reality and share your story on MINI Space, you will have a chance to win your very own MINI Countryman!

[ Source :: MINI Space ]

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Released to the carrier, waiting tranportation to the port of exit

My daily ritual of checking status of my MINI Countryman reveals that my MINI is "Released to the carrier and waiting transportation to the port of exit! Yey! As the train infrastructure is very advanced in Europe, the MINI's will soon hop on a car carrier train and make its journey from its birthplace, Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria to its port of exit Bremerhaven, Germany.

Follow the jump to view interactive Google maps of plant in Graz and port in Bremerhaven.

Tracking my MINI Countryman :: Happy Birthday!! Production Completed!

Happy Birthday!! Today, April 5, 2011 is my MINI Countryman's birthday! The production is complete and it rolled off the final assembly line, birth canal, at the Magna Steyr plant in Graz, Austria! I am so excited! The next step is to track the MINI as it crosses the big pond in a huge car transport vessel! More on that later.

Follow the jump to watch the video of first MINI Countryman rolling of the Graz Plant.