Mini SUV to be called ‘Crossman’

In keeping with its naming practice of labeling all its cars with names that start with the letter C, Mini will be calling its latest model the ‘Crossman.’ The fourth model in Mini’s lineup will be a new SUV variant and will arrive on the market in 2010, according to Mini CEO Kay Segler.

Segler, who spoke recently with Auto Motor und Sport, also confirmed the new model will be manufactured in Austria by Magna International and that its production numbers could top 45,000 units. Both AWD and FWD versions are expected to be released.

Mini is set to reach record profits this year and is already seeing waiting lists pile up for its new models such the Clubman. Despite the waiting lists, Segler hopes to see sales rise to 240,000 units next year, up from an estimated 220,000 units this year.