Bruce

BMW Makes It's Millionth Mini (AutoCar)
We've been wondering how popular BMW's second-generation Mini is proving, and today, Mini has provided an answer, while at the same time passing a milestone in the history of the new car.

If you were expecting the upmarket supermini's incredible following to wane, think again; last month was the busiest for the brand since the introduction of the new Mini in July 2001; it sold 7854 new cars during March's '07-plate rush – almost 200 more than this time last year.

It also churned out a pepper white Cooper S hatchback (pictured), the millionth car produced at BMW's Cowley factory since the launch of the new Mini six years ago. Back then, Plant Oxford (as it's now known) was producing 300 cars a day, with a workforce of 2400; today, it turns out 700 Minis a day, with 4700 workers on round-the-clock shifts.

It should therefore be a bumper year for the Mini brand, with its Mini One and Mini Cooper D hatchback models arriving on sale on April 14, and the new Mini Clubman estate on sale before the end of the year.

By then, Mini could be making 240,000 cars a year, and be a closer match on overall output for Toyota's manufacturing plant in Burnaston (home to the Auris and Avensis) and Nissan's Sunderland plant (where the Micra, Note and Qashqai are made). It has already overtaken Honda's Swindon factory (where 189,000 Civics and CR-Vs were made last year), although the Japanese company has plans to expand its UK outfit.

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Just_me

BMw did the right thing with Mini. Its a huge success.

The Artist

cred to BMW.. they nailed it with the MIni..

BMW_Dude

Amazing, congrats to Mini!

Wonder what Jaguar thinks, one small hatchback sell more than a whole range of cars by them!

Looking at the sales, I didn't think the new new mini was doing so well, but it must be, forgot that not all mini models were being produced yet!

Harry Plopper

Right now Oxford plant has a capacity of producing 240,000 units per year. With optimization another 10% increase of production output can be achieved. And BMW CPO Arendt said recently MINI production can reach 300,000 units per year if necessary - with a help of BMW flexible production facilities (there are rumours BMW are planning to assemble MINI in India & China as well - for local markets only!).

So, in the near future (when Clubman, AWD crossover & 2-seater coupe hit the roads in the next few years ) expect production & sales of 300k MINIs per year.

BMW_Dude

Very impressive, looks like the whole Rover disaster was worth it for Mini!

Mikael

Impressive! Who would've known it turns out to be such a big hit!

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