Former Baron MINI location continues serving Kansas City-area customers under the MINI of Shawnee Mission name
SHAWNEE, Kan., June 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In a strategic move to unify its extensive network of dealerships, Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Houston-based automotive retailer with dealerships across the U.S. and U.K., today announced that Baron MINI has been renamed MINI of Shawnee Mission, effective June 4, 2026, as part of the company's nationwide brand alignment initiative.
The Merriam dealership is one of a growing number of U.S. locations aligned under the initiative, giving customers a clearer connection to Group 1's scale, resources, and operational standards while preserving the local team, MINI expertise, and customer relationships that have served the Kansas City area for decades.
Backed by the scale, resources, and expertise of an international automotive retailer, Group 1 Automotive remains focused on delivering the personalized service and community connections that define the local dealership experience. Learn more at Group1Auto.com.
Better Customer Experience
The transition from Baron MINI to MINI of Shawnee Mission is part of a broader effort to create a more consistent customer experience across Group 1's U.S. retail network. In keeping with MINI's dealer naming standards, the dealership operates under the MINI name while remaining wholly part of the Group 1 network. The rebrand does not represent a change in ownership, staffing, product offerings, or day-to-day operations.
Group 1 Automotive has owned and operated the Merriam dealership for nearly two decades. The new name formally connects the location to Group 1's national platform, giving local customers the benefit of a familiar Merriam dealership supported by the resources, technology, and operational discipline of a larger automotive group.
"This rebrand gives our customers the best of both worlds: the same local MINI team they know and trust, now with a clearer connection to the strength and resources of Group 1," said Clay Shafer, General Manager of MINI of Shawnee Mission. "Our focus is on making the customer experience even more consistent, convenient, and transparent, whether someone is shopping for a new MINI, servicing their current vehicle, or considering a trade-in."
Continuity of Service and Local Commitment
MINI of Shawnee Mission continues to serve customers from its existing location at 9000 Shawnee Mission Parkway in Merriam, Kansas, supporting drivers throughout Merriam, Overland Park, Shawnee Mission, and the greater Kansas City area with new MINI vehicles, pre-owned vehicles, MINI service, parts, and maintenance support.