Showroom

The hot new Mini, right, will be maxi in Southern California. BMW, which is bringing an updated, upgraded version of the kicky British economy car to the U.S. next year as a separate brand, has announced its first 70 dealer candidates. Eight of them--that’s 11% of the total--are in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties. The local candidates still have to sign franchise contracts. From north to south, they are: Bob Smith Mini, Canoga Park; Mini of Universal City; Nick Alexander Mini, Los Angeles; Assael Mini, Monrovia; Long Beach Mini; Crevier Mini, Santa Ana; Irvine Mini; and Brecht Mini, Escondido.