Talk yourself into buying a Mini EV.
Mini is the latest brand to use artificial intelligence (AI), but instead of giving it a serious job, the British brand is using it to have a bit of marketing fun. Using a bit of camera and audio trickery, Mini has given the user the ability to convince themselves that they need a new Cooper Electric Hardtop.
It is a marketing gimmick but quite fun. You go to the Mini AI online experience, allow it access to your phone's camera and voice recording devices, and record yourself asking, “Why should I get a Mini Electric?”
The AI tech then creates a visual representation of you to convince you to buy an electric Mini. According to Mini, the voice you hear is at a lower frequency to match the voice in your head. You can switch between your inner and outer voice, however. This author's inner voice sounds like he should be narrating Dante Alighieri, which is quite disturbing.
Your clone can give you many reasons to buy a Mini EV. Unfortunately, our clone was not very knowledgeable about cars, so he cracked a few jokes instead. You can share these clips on social media, too. According to the clone, the electrified Cooper is charged by goblins singing karaoke, so it gets from flat to 80% charge in 36 minutes. He also said that Mini recently “won an award from J.D. Power, which sounds like a Pulitzer” – his words, not ours.
The J.D. Power award is worth mentioning, however. According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Electric Vehicle Experience Ownership Study, Mini ranks tops in the Ownership and Cost of Ownership categories. This is an overall win in the mass-market category, not just in its segment. We have to admit that it is pretty impressive.
It's a bit of nonsensical fluff but quite fun. It's also on-brand for Mini, known for including oddball features that help its cars stand out. Instead of a voice assistant that sounds like a prison guard, Mini gives you an English Bulldog called Spike.
Why the sudden marketing push for the Cooper Electric? Mini has some excellent lease offers at the moment and is likely trying to get rid of stock before the arrival of the all-new Cooper EV.
While our clone might think buying one now is a good idea, the real us believes you should wait. The electric Cooper is a brilliant car, completely ruined by its 114-mile range. The all-new Mini EV will have a larger battery pack with a predicted range of between 186 and 248 miles.
Keyword: Mini Creating AI Clones Of People To Convince Them To Buy Electric