BMW has appointed Trevor Houghton-Berry, Rover's former corporate sales manager, as general manager for the Mini brand, as it gears up for the unveiling of Mini's new model at the Paris Motorshow next month.
Houghton-Berry, who join-ed BMW in June, will take responsibility for Mini's sales and marketing operations, including the pounds 10m ad budget it awarded to WCRS in July. He heads up a dedicated marketing team for the brand consisting of marketing manager Emma Scammell and product manager Alexandra Prugger.
He will report to Mini's managing director, John Edwards, who joined in February from his brand director's post at Rover.
Mini's former marketing director, Patrick Fleming, moved to become MG marketing director in February.
BMW retained the rights to produce the new Mini model when it sold the Rover brand to the Phoenix Consortium in May. The Rover Group retained the old version of the Mini, MG, and the Rover brand. Production of the old Mini will halt this month.
The new Mini marketing division will operate within BMW to create a distinctive look for the new car, which will go on sale early next year for around pounds 10,000. BMW is aiming to make 100,000 units within two years.
The model, to be built at the plant in Cowley, Oxford, will retain some of the original's retro features.
The Mini was invented in the 50s by Alexander Arnold Constantine Issigonis.
The Mini Cooper's cult status was defined by its appearance in cult film The Italian Job and its domination, for a time, of international motor sport.
Production of the classic Mini has soared to over 5.3 million, and the model boasts the title European Car of the Century.
BMW inherited the brand in 1995, when it bought Rover.
