BMW’s Mini to expand U.S.

Mini is bolstering dealer ranks as it endures a 21 percent drop in U.S. sales of its small cars this year through May. Last year, gasoline prices that rose to a record in July contributed to a 29 percent jump in the brand’s deliveries. Mini’s decline so far in 2009 came as sales tumbled 37 percent for the industry and 29 percent for BMW including its namesake brand.Sales for Mini starting in 2011 will rise by “double- digit” percentages from last year’s 54,077 cars, McDowell said. He declined to be more specific.BMW has sold Mini cars in the U.S. since 2002. The Munich- based company will now grant Mini franchises to dealers other than those of its BMW brand, contrary to its previous policy. BMW’s U.S. headquarters in is Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.