Staff

Officials from Co's BMW Center and Centerra today announced the addition of MINI Cooper to the 100-acre Motorplex at Centerra.

MINI of Loveland will be southwest of Co's BMW Center, 4055 Byrd Drive, in the auto complex at Interstate 25 and Crossroads Boulevard.

Ground breaking for MINI of Loveland is set for June 2009 with a grand opening expected to be in January 2010.

MINI of Loveland will draw customers from the Northern Colorado region in addition to North Denver, Wyoming, Kansas, and other bordering states. The future facility will offer a full sales, service and parts center, officials said in a prepared statement.

As part of the BMW Group, MINI of Loveland plans to hire 17 associates.

Christina Dawkins, Co's BMW Center owner & operator, will serve as CEO of MINI of Loveland.

"The Co's BMW family could not be more thrilled to grow the MINI brand in Northern Colorado. It is a unique niche vehicle that attracts customers who want a highly customizable and fun driving experience," Dawkins said.

The Motorplex at Centerra was selected as the second Colorado location based on strong regional customer demographics, close proximity to three major universities and a high-traffic centralized location.

"MINI of Loveland will be a tremendous addition to the Motorplex and to Centerra as a whole," said Jay Hardy, VP/GM - Centerra, McWhinney. "Its unique energy and customer experience focus is a definite win for the Northern Colorado community."

Designed by Kenney & Associates, the standalone MINI facility will be about 10,000 square feet and will be constructed from black steel and glass, highlighted with exterior and interior splashes of neon color.

While visiting the facility, customers will be able to play in the MINI game room, utilize interactive tools to imagine and "test out" the experience of becoming a MINI owner and participate in regular driving events.

MINI customers will be able to personalize particular body color, in addition to unique stitching, roof paint, and other specialized options. MINI prices range from $19,000 to $31,000 fully equipped.

When most automotive manufacturers are retracting, MINI is growing. In 2008, MINI Cooper experienced a 38 percent increase in sales over 2007. In 2009, the company plans to add five to eight new franchises in the United States, officials said.

MINI of Loveland will be the second location in Colorado, in addition to Ralph Schomp MINI in Littleton.