Mini has always been doing great in the North America, but its sales became even better when customers turned away from big SUVs to small fuel efficient cars. The manufacturer says that in order to cover the demand, they want to expand their network in the U.S.

Within the next year and a half Mini will increase the number of American dealerships by 20% making it total of 100 outlets. The new 17 dealerships will be set all over the U.S. in the areas where there have not been Mini outlets before. The location for them is already determined: Birmingham, Alabama; Pensacola, Florida; Alexandria, Virginia; Austin, Texas; Seattle, Washington; Fort Myers, Florida; El Paso, Texas; Ontario, California; Louisville, Kentucky; Raleigh, North Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Loveland, Colorado; Madison, Wisconsin; Mount Laurel, New Jersey; Allentown, Pennsylvania; San Diego, California, and Tempe, Arizona.

Last year the company has sold 54,077 cars in North America and while this year sales might not be big, Mini USA vice president, Jim McDowell says that in 2011 after the opening of the new dealerships they plan to increase the sales by double digit percentage.