Mini has revealed its Crossover concept model, unveiled at last month’s Paris motor show, will be put into production "in the near future".
According to BMW sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson, the Mini Crossover can take advantage of the current trend among car buyers for downsizing.
The BMW-owned carmaker is also set to officially unveil its all-electric Mini next month at the Los Angeles motor show .
The company confirmed that year-long trials of the Mini E will take place in several US cities including New York and Los Angeles, while shorter trials will launch in Europe at the start of 2009.
BMW has stressed that despite the global economic downturn, it has been successful in recent months, largely due to the company's Efficient Dynamics mantra.
A total 800,000 BMW vehicles around the world feature the carmaker’s fuel-efficient technologies .
The cars have helped ensure total sales for 2008 are up 1.7 per cent on last year, with the 1-Series, 5-Series and 6-Series largely responsible for the increase.
