Thames Valley: Plant Oxford celebrates three millionth MINI

Plant Oxford has celebrated the three millionth MINI to roll off the assembly line since production began in 2001. The car in question was a John Cooper Works Clubman – the first model to combine the latest John Cooper Works performance enhancements and a new ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

From around 300 cars a day in 2001 to around 1,000 built-to-order cars today, the 4,500 strong workforce at Oxford produces one new MINI almost every minute. Around 80% of the MINIs built here are exported to more than 110 markets across the world. Sales of MINI, both in the UK and internationally, have gone from strength to strength over the past 15 years. In its first year nearly 40,000 MINIs were sold worldwide. By 2015 this number had risen to nearly 340,000.

Oliver Zipse, member of the board of management of BMW AG responsible for production, commented:  “The passion and commitment that everyone here at the plant has for building a high-quality product is central to that success.

Frank Bachmann, managing director of Plant Oxford, said: “Hitting this milestone is a fantastic achievement for everyone on the team here at Oxford.”

Three UK plants have a part to play in the production of the MINI. Hams Hall near Birmingham makes engines, Swindon produces body pressings and sub-assemblies, and everything comes together at Oxford with body- shell production, paint and final assembly. Together these plants have helped to generate and sustain employment for thousands of people directly and indirectly though the wider supply chain and retailers.

Since 2000, £1.75 billion has been invested by BMW Group at the three plants. At Oxford this has included a state-of-the-art paintshop, a high-technology body building facility, a new final assembly area, a new logistics centre, a quality and engineering centre and the MINIcademy, where the plant’s apprentices are trained.

The classic Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis and launched in 1959, revolutionised the automotive world and was produced at Oxford until 1968 with a peak output of 94,889 cars during 1966-7.

Models built at Oxford today include three and five door MINI Hatch, the MINI Clubman, including the Plant’s first all-wheel drive ALL4 model – and the high-performance MINI John Cooper Works Hatch.