(autoinsidernews) - BMW announced that it is acquiring the rights to the John Cooper Works brand name. The deal is effective from January 2007.
The acquisition is part of BMW's strategy to strengthen the automaker's MINI brand, said a BMW spokesman, reports Trend.
The John Cooper Works name has been closely linked with high performance MINIs. John Cooper Works currently fits MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models with kits to make the cars faster and sportier.
The deal ensures that John Cooper Works models will play an important role in MINI's overall brand strategy in the future.