MINI: exports from Plant Oxford exceed a million units
Clive Goldthorp
BMW Group’s Plant Oxford has just dispatched the one millionth
MINI to be built for export since production began there in 2001.
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.
MINI USA has just reported H1/2008 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, SUV’s and trucks into MINIs.
MINI’s worldwide sales increased by 17.9 per cent in H1/2008
when compared to last year with 26,810 units being delivered. 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 4700 associates who work a three shift pattern
producing up to 800 MINIs a day, seven days a week. An additional 2100 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.
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