Let's Do THis Detlev! (Mini vs. Porsche)

A challenge has been made. Head of Mini USA challenges head of Porsche North America to a race via YouTube video. Brilliant marketing.

Youtube

yeah, and Porsche has already turned it down.

shame... that would be fun

Porsche's response:

Dear Jim, Imagine our surprise to discover our former employee, now the head of Mini, has challenged us to a head-to-head race. As you surely know, Porsche has a long history of racing success, with more than 28,000 wins over the last 60 years. In our early days, we pitted ourselves against the giants, so we've been in your shoes. But as you also know, Porsche doesn't race for fame, stunts or publicity. We race to challenge ourselves; we race to push sports car technology; we race to translate every win on the track to our cars on the road. If you need a reminder of our intent, please take a look at this short video: http://tinyurl.com/37xdjqx While your challenge seems like a fun and lighthearted campaign, we'll stick to racing the way we have over the decades. We welcome you at Sebring, Le Mans, Daytona or any other sanctioned race where there is more at stake than T-shirts and valet parking spaces. We also invite you to any of the thousands of tracks around the world where Porsche owners compete each weekend. Good luck with your race at Road Atlanta on June 21; we hope you enjoy the day. Sincerely, Detlev Von Platen President and CEO, Porsche Cars North America

We race to challenge ourselves

I in no way mean this to be offensive to gay people. I heart teh gays, but what a bunch of fags.

makes you wonder what they are afraid of?

mad_machine wrote: makes you wonder what they are afraid of?

JCW?

In any scenario, MINI wins on this one...

In little league, if the other team doesn't show up, do you still win?

Mini wanted to use the little, ridiculously tight autox course between turns 6 & 7. I still wouldn't bet against the Porsche, but Mini was definitely stacking the deck. Maybe I should challenge Mini in my Civic...

Did this link make anyone else want to go buy a Porsche!

that is one of my favorite ads of all time. It makes a small tear appear in the corner of my left eye...

poopshovel wrote:

We race to challenge ourselves

I in no way mean this to be offensive to gay people. I heart teh gays, but what a bunch of fags.

I think MINI should use this in their response ad.

Honestly, I'm a little surprised by Porsche doing this. Had they played it correctly, it could have been a huge marketing win for both companies. I like to hold out hope that this was simply the latest episode in an ongoing campaign, and we haven't heard the last of this yet.

jg

Maybe it's the idea that if you give in once, everyone will take a shot at you.

Still, it is brilliant marketing, and I totally want to buy that guy a beer.

That was a total lame-o, cop-out response by Porsche .

xd wrote: Did this link make anyone else want to go buy a Porsche!

It's a tad ironic considering all the Cayennes and Panamera's. But yes, it does make me want to buy an old Porsche .

dear detlev,

Get a longer skirt, your vagina is showing..

Ignorant..

Am I the only one who thinks this would be a bad decision for Porsche?

We already determined that the deck was stacked against them. And then there's the fact that win or lose, Mini gains a lot of reputation by doing this, and Porsche...

While those of us who read this board might get it, Porsche stands to lose reputation whether they win or lose.

The situation needs to be beneficial for both parties. Otherwise it's just an attempt to gain exposure and reputation at Porsche's expense. And while I'd love to watch, that doesn't mean it'd be a good decision for them.

DILYSI Dave wrote: Mini wanted to use the little, ridiculously tight autox course between turns 6 & 7. I still wouldn't bet against the Porsche, but Mini was definitely stacking the deck. Maybe I should challenge Mini in my Civic...

That sounds like a fight for a Boxster!

Porsche would never bring the stepchild Boxster to such an event, but if they did and rolled up in the the new Spyder, I bet a few MINI folks would be in for a surprise...

I can't believe the head of Mini doesn't have a better office...

And as a Porsche owner I think their response was pretty lame. A did like how they offered to take Mini on at any of the real races. I also don't think Road Atlanta is to one sided for Mini. I know a lot of Porsche drivers who race there. I for one would like to see Mini vs. Cayman S there, I think that would be a pretty good race.

Do we have actual confirmation that this was supposed to take place on the AutoX course? I hadn't heard that, only speculation.

Oh, and there was a response.

My guess at this point is that the whole scenario has been engineered by both parties. I sort of hope that's the case. If not it seems Porsche is dropping the ball a bit.

jg

I wonder if the MINI people were counting on Porsche not playing and so it didn't matter which car would really win or if the MINI people got a P car and tested the bejesus out of it against a MINI until they found a track layout that they had a shot then made the challenge.

I think the first scenario is more likely. Why on earth would Porsche even want to be compared to a car that costs less than half as much? If they won, they would get no credit - they were supposed to win. If they lost them what a PR boon for MINI and an embarrassment for Porsche. It was a win-win for MINI to just put out the challenge. If I was the Porsche guy I'd be begrudgingly respectful of the MINI PR people, but a little peeved at the same time for trying to drag my brand down to that of a lowly econobox.

JG Pasterjak wrote: Do we have actual confirmation that this was supposed to take place on the AutoX course? I hadn't heard that, only speculation.

I know it for a fact. Feel free to email for details.

TJ wrote: I wonder if the MINI people were counting on Porsche not playing and so it didn't matter which car would really win or if the MINI people got a P car and tested the bejesus out of it against a MINI until they found a track layout that they had a shot then made the challenge.

May very well be both. This obviously is engineered to make Mini look good either way.

it's funny.. I was thinking about this recently.. out of all the new cars out right now.. only three interest me... One is a Mini, the other is a Cayman, and the third is the Fiat 500...

Correct response would have been:

Dear MINI, That's nice. Unfortunately I will be making arrangements for our factory team to race at [major race shortly afterwards]. We would be more than happy to see you compete there with us.