The new MINI has made
its worldwide debut today (18 November) at MINI’s UK production plant in Oxford
and features all-new vehicle architecture , an evolutionary design and a range
of new fuel-efficient engines to give owners even more fun behind the wheel. A £750 million investment across three of BMW
Group’s UK manufacturing facilities marks the launch of the new car with a
new 1,000-robot body shop at Plant Oxford, the debut of new technologies at the
steel body pressings operation in Swindon, and new machining and assembly
facilities to produce a new generation of three and four-cylinder engines at
the Hams Hall engine plant near Birmingham.
Prime Minister David
Cameron said: “I was lucky enough to get an early preview of the new Mini –
a classic British icon – during a visit to the factory in Oxford last month.
This £750 million investment is great news for both the local and wider
economy, along with the 5,500 workers whose jobs are safeguarded by this launch.
“Car manufacturing is a vital engine for growth. Production
is back up to pre-recession levels and a car rolls off the line every 20
seconds in the UK. But we’re not complacent. Our industrial strategy is a key
part of the Government’s economic plan and we’re helping to drive the car
industry further and faster with over £4bn of investment.”
Harald Krueger, BMW
Group’s board member for production, said: “In our Oxford plant’s centenary
year, we are continuing the MINI brand success story and today starting
production of the third model generation. Our total investment of £750 million
in our British production locations of Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall between
2012 and 2015 underscores the importance of the MINI production triangle within
our global production network. The UK is the heart of MINI production – thanks
to the experience, competence and strong commitment of all our employees.”
The investment means
additional job security for the 5,500 associates currently working in the
UK MINI production network. Besides a new state-of-the-art body shop, the
Oxford plant also benefits from upgrades to its paint shop, its final assembly
area and from a series of initiatives reducing the operation’s carbon footprint
and improving its waste management processes. The introduction of the new
MINI has also seen a significant investment in the most extensive workforce
training programme undertaken at the plant.
Even though there’s instant recognition – something which
comes from having such a globally identifiable design – the new MINI is
completely new from the ground up in an effort to optimise its styling,
function and performance. With its market launch in Spring 2014, the new car
offers an enhanced standard specification, an extensive range of options to allow
customers to adapt the car to their individual style, higher comfort levels,
comprehensive safety technology including pedestrian protection and more
innovative networking technology. Longer and wider than its predecessor, the
new model provides more interior space for both the driver and passengers.
Extensively revised suspension technology, reduced weight and increased
rigidity have intensified the typical MINI go-kart feeling.
Commenting on the new model, Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW Group’s board member for MINI, BMW Motorrad,
Rolls-Royce, Aftersales BMW Group said: “MINI is an inspiration for
trend-setters and creative spirits the world over. And with our latest
generation of MINI, we want to excite once again. To ensure the new generation
of MINI is as successful as its predecessors, we have made just subtle
modifications to its design. But beneath the outer skin is a brand-new car with
state-of-the-art technologies seen for the first time at a small car”.
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