MINI Named

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Auto Express asked five writers, who also pen regular columns for the magazine, to name the highlights and lowlights of the past year. The MINI won plaudits for being an affordable motor that's fun to drive. But what else deserved praise or criticism? Mike Rutherford applauded Honda because it stole the show at Tokyo, and Richard Burns for winning the WRC.

TV's Mike Brewer knocked the BBC for letting Top Gear go, and BMW for the continuing fallout from the Rover sale. But he commended fellow Driven presenter Jason Plato for winning the BTCC, and MG Rover for producing some thrilling drivers' cars.

Nissan got the thumbs-up from the Financial Times' Tim Burt, but Ford and ex-boss Jac Nasser were losers in his eyes. Daily Mail man Ray Massey voted Chancellor Gordon Brown a winner – but only because he's now got lots of money from motorists. And ex-Jag boss Sir Nick Scheele was praised for being likely to steer Ford back on track. Andrew English of the Daily Telegraph chose VW's Bernd Pischetsrieder both as winner and loser – firstly for earning promotion, then for finding ex-boss Ferdinand Piech will still oversee him. He also slated Ford's Fiesta launch for being outdone by the Polo's.

Reprinted by permission from AutoExpress

Article Date: Dec 18, 2001
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
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