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OXFORD, July 17, 2008: Since production began in 2001 Plant Oxford has seen over one million MINIs leave the plant destined for customers abroad. The one millionth MINI for export has now left Plant Oxford.

More than 80 per cent of MINI production is currently exported to almost 80 countries worldwide with the largest export market being the USA. The most recent sales figures have been the best in MINI USA’s history. In the first half of the year, MINI USA has reported sales of 26,400 cars, an increase of 33.6 per cent. The increase in MINI sales is indicative of the structural shift taking place in the USA, with MINI dealers reporting many customers moving out of their large cars like SUV’s and trucks into MINIs.

In the first six months of 2008, MINI recorded a worldwide increase in sales of 17.9 per cent compared to last year delivering 126,810 vehicles. The introduction of the MINI Clubman has contributed greatly to this success – every fifth MINI sold is a Clubman Oliver Zipse, Managing Director MINI Plant Oxford said: “Export is a key factor for the success and stability of our MINI Plant in Oxford. Since MINI was launched we have seen a significant increase in export from less than 60 per cent in 2001 to over 80 per cent this year. The high customer demand in almost 80 countries around the world, from Chile to China, has driven MINI’s success over the last seven years.”

Plant Oxford employs 4,700 associates who work a three shift pattern producing up to 800 MINIs a day, seven days a week. An additional 2,100 associates work at the MINI pressing plant in Swindon and engine plant in Hams Hall near Birmingham; the three plants together form the MINI production triangle in the UK.

In addition, MINI UK will open the doors to a brand new model at MINIVERSITY, the Oxford-based car manufacturer’s home at the 2008 British International Motor Show.

Between 22 July and 03 August, the UK media and British public will have the opportunity to view first hand some of the smartest things to come out of Oxford in recent years. MINI owners will have access to ‘The Union’, an area to meet others in the MINI community, while future customers can take a walk through the ‘Faculty of Engineering’ and discover the millions of ways to personalise a new MINI. The stand will also incorporate a Quadrangle-style area on which the entire MINI range will be displayed.

The most recent ‘graduate’ from MINI Plant Oxford, the brand new MINI John Cooper Works will be shown to the public for the first time on British soil.

Economic impact report: BMW Group in the UK will produce its second economic impact report in the first quarter of 2009. The first study which considered data to the end of 2004, revealed that BMW Group makes an annual contribution to the UK economy of over £1 billion directly to UK GDP, the equivalent of an extra third of a penny on the basic rate of income tax. In addition, through its direct and indirect activities, BMW Group in the UK supports 55,000 UK jobs.

The updated report which will look at data until the end of 2007 is expected to show that BMW Group has increased its economic significance to the UK economy. Key factors include an additional investment of £100 million to support production of the new MINI, the increase of parts supply from UK to build the new car and a £17 million investment in the BMW Group Academy UK, a dedicated training centre for all technical and non-technical training.

Source:  AutoChannel.com

Article Date: Jul 18, 2008
Car Accociations: NEW_MINI
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