Mr. Warming pointed to another picture of the spare, yet modern, steering-wheel column and single large dashboard dial on an old 1960s Mini, the inspiration for the minimalist dashboard of the Mini Rocketman, an even tinier Miniconcept car that made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
While there has always been a role for things mini - especially in technology where the concept is defined in terms of micro and nano - marketers and consumers alike have increasingly accelerated adoption of the trend.
Their models range from Hyundai's new flagship, the Grand Santa Fe - which marks the brand's entry into the market for large, luxurious sports utility vehicles - to Kia's Provo concept, which is gunning at the quirky Mini.