10 years after the start of production, today the two millionth MINI rolls off the assembly line at Plant Oxford, driven by Prime Minister David Cameron, who came round to mark the event.
The Oxford plant alone is responsible for 1.5 million of the two million new generation MINI that have been produced to date and sold globally.The plant is being prepared for the produciton of the next generation MINI, while BMW is also constructing new production facilities.
This latest investment decision helps to ensure the long term future of the Oxford plant and jobs at its pressings plant in Swindon and its engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham. It also takes the company’s total investment across all its UK operations to more than £1.5 billion since 2000.
The two millionth MINI is a MINI Convertible specially painted in White Silver metallic with a blue denim roof. The specification boasts a selection of bespoke interior and exterior options including special alloy wheels, a distinctive leather steering wheel and lounge leather upholstery.
This car will be gifted to a randomly chosen winner who takes part in the global Facebook campaign called ‘Two Million MINIs – Two Million Faces’ which involves photographs of the faces of two million MINI fans being collected and built to create a dedicated Facebook ‘wall’.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It’s a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line today. The 2 millionth MINI to be made here in Oxford is a fantastic symbol of the UK’s strength in the global automotive industry and a great British manufacturing success story.
“BMW’s continued investment in its UK operations, together with its export success – selling to over 90 countries worldwide – is contributing to a real renaissance for the UK car industry and a brilliant example of the sustainable, balanced growth we are determined to achieve. MINI is not just a symbol of our industrial past, but also the great industrial future we want to build.” ?
