MINI and the IAA Mobility 2021: #BIGLOVE, a feeling that lasts 13.09.2021: Visions for sustainable mobility and cities designed for excellent quality of living, fresh stimuli for the MINI community and a clear commitment to diversity: with its ‘BIG LOVE from Munich’ campaign the British premium brand left its mark at the Interna

Visions for sustainable mobility and cities designed for excellent quality of living, fresh stimuli for the MINI community and a clear commitment to diversity: with its ‘BIG LOVE from Munich’ campaign the British premium brand left its mark at the International Motor Show and not only with the large-format mural on the tower of “Sugar Mountain” designed by the artist Lakwena.

#BIGLOVE is the MINI way of showing how two small words can inspire positive action. Ever since the brand was born in 1959, MINI has been all about doing more with less and finding the most creative ways to use space. The current campaign being run by the British premium brand goes one step further.




#BIGLOVE is an expression of diversity embraced in practice in all its forms, welcoming fresh thinking and new ideas no matter where they come from. At the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich, the MINI brand presented its path towards more sustainable mobility and an inclusive future for everyone based on the claim “We’re all different, but pretty good together”.



For the duration of the trade fair, under the motto “BIG LOVE from Munich”, MINI contributed to the revitalisation of the vibrant industrial site in the suburbs of Munich called “Sugar Mountain”, which focuses on creativity, sport, personal fulfilment and community. The site of the former concrete factory is now enhanced by a multi-coloured mural on an old tower, designed by London-based artist Lakwena Maciver especially for the occasion.



Lakwena’s artistic style thrives on bold statements and bright colours. Her aim is to make art accessible to everyone. This is why she mainly paints in public spaces, bringing art to people who might otherwise not have access to it. This approach makes her the perfect partner for MINI, conveyed in the messages that appear in her colourful mural with the words “DIFFERENT BUT GOOD TOGETHER” and “BIG LOVE”. The installation will continue to embellish the district of Obersendling in Munich after the IAA Mobility 2021 is over.



Sugar Mountain represented the kick-off of MINI’s IAA “Big love from Munich” campaign with MINI friends taking part in a wide range of activities here. Exciting matches on the World Club Tennis Court, high-speed races on the BMX pump track and laid-back tricks on the Jam Skate Park – they had plenty of space to spontaneously engage in sports or express their own personal style.



There was also the opportunity to improve their DJ skills at a DJ set master class, with the sound of relaxed beats providing the perfect background for people to meet and relax in the spacious community area.



Furthermore, adventurers and outdoor lovers alike experienced an urban campsite with the AUTOHOME special edition roof tents for the MINI Countryman. The roof tents, produced for the first time with recycled materials, are made with bottles collected from the ocean and fully match the brand’s design and the MINI pioneering spirit, where every day offers new sustainable adventures and perspectives.




MINI’s IAA BIG LOVE campaign continued in the MINI Pavillon at Lenbachplatz in Munich where visitors were able to take part in a variety of activities from culinary to sport. With displays created by British fashion designer Paul Smith, the MINI Pavilion was also transformed into a fascinating and versatile hotspot for fresh ideas. The MINI STRIP, a custom-made one-off car by Paul Smith in collaboration with MINI, presented here focused on the topics of sustainability and innovation for increased environmental protection.



The MINI STRIP shines the spotlight on an innovative approach to the issue of sustainability in automotive manufacturing. Guided by the overarching theme of ‘Simplicity, Transparency, Sustainability’, the car showcases inspirational ideas for a more sustainable method of automotive design.



Visitors also had the opportunity to find out about the future design of individual mobility and urban living spaces through displays and panel discussions involving designers and visionaries from the creative tech start-ups that are being supported in connection with the MINI Start-up Accelerator URBAN-X. The ideas presented were then debated live with thought leaders from the dialogue platform “The Sooner Now” under the motto “The city of tomorrow is made today”.



This dialogue between visionaries and the MINI community during the IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich was thus entirely dedicated to the crucial issues of our time facing MINI: urban mobility, sustainability, cosmopolitanism and individuality. In this way, the future-oriented brand was able to leave behind positive stimuli and a feeling that lasts – #BIGLOVE.




Georgina Cox- photo BMW