What's all this about?

MINI, allowing you to personalise your car.

Well, that's not new - the company has been doing that since 2001.

Ah, it has if you're talking about a pre-determined set of roof graphics, contrast colours and interior trims, yes. But we're not. This is MINI Yours Customised and it allows you to make your MINI really, really personal.

In what way?

A new ordering process means you can have side scuttles, interior trims, illuminated door sills and LED door projectors that are branded with your own chosen design, which includes bespoke lettering and even your signature. So, if your name's Emilie, for instance (as in MINI's example), you can have the MINI beam your very own signature onto the floor next to your car, courtesy of Yours Customised puddle lamps.

Wow! How has MINI achieved this?

Advances in 3D printing and laser lettering allow the company to manufacture these parts to order, without the need for loads of fancy tooling. It has required the installation of a whole new distribution chain for the carmaker, to accommodate direct sales to the customer, and a special Online Shop for Yours Customised allows punters to make their designs and then place an order. MINI says they will be with car owners within a few weeks and they can either be self-fitted or installed by a participating MINI service partner. There's also no limit to the orders you can place, so if you fancy four different designs for your dash pad, for instance, that's no bother.

And when does this come into effect?

The MINI Yours Customised service goes live in 2018 and will be available on numerous MINI models, although the company hasn't specified which vehicles this can be specified on.

Matt Robinson - 26 Dec 2017