BMW Group’s operations in UK is going smooth, as the engine plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham achieves a remarkable milestone. The facility celebrates production of the 3 millionth BMW engine  – a 1.6 liter four-cylinder unit – which will be put in a MINI at the Oxford assembly line. The milestone follows a year of record production in 2011. The Hams site is being upgraded for production of future generation engines.

The MINI with the milestone engine will then be sent to India, and that leads us to yet another significant achievement of BMW in the UK. Over 80% of MINIs produced in the UK are exported and more than 1.6 million have been exported since the car was launched in 2001. BMW’s acquisition of MINI has been an utter success for both parties, unlike the short-lived relationship BMW had with Rover.

The UK-built engines are supplied, in sequence, to production plants in Germany, Austria and Oxford and currently power the BMW X1, BMW 1 Series and the recently launched new BMW 3 Series as well as all MINI petrol models.

“This is a fantastic milestone for Plant Hams Hall,” said plant director, Nick Spencer. “Our 800-strong workforce is proud to be playing an important role within BMW Group’s global production network, building engines in the UK for cars sold in many countries around world and contributing to the success of the iconic MINI brand.”