2006 Production Ahead of Schedule?

Sections: R56 (Hatch) | Sales Jan 23rd, 2006 25 Comments

As has been previously reported on MotoringFile and elsewhere, MINI has publicly stated that they expect to produce about 20,000 fewer MINIs this year due to plant construction. However we’ve heard some interesting news from a reliable source that could suggest that figure is very conservative.

According to the source, the MINI Oxford plant is already 800 cars ahead of the proposed schedule and it’s only three weeks into the year. If that rate keeps up, MINI could be in for another banner year. Further more we’re told that the 2007 MINI is much easier to build due to outsourcing of some component assembly and improved production methods. So when the next generation MINI begins production this September (provding the components arrive on time) the plant could be churning out nearly 60 cars an hour off the production line. One car each minute.

However don’t expect to see any next generation MINIs in the US for the 2006 calendar year. But we’ll have more on that tomorrow.

Written By: Gabe

Douglas

I hope this doesn’t delay my MCS I ordered last week. I hope to get it by March.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

Douglas… you may have missed the previous stories on MotoringFile but the MINI plant had been expect to be shut down for most of January and throughout the year. This is good news in terms of 2006 production.

MINI Plant Construction to Cause Shortage
http://www.northamericanmotoring.com Dave

However donÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢t expect to see any next generation MINIs in the US for the 2006 calendar year. WeÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã¢â€žÂ¢ll have more on that tomorrow.

way to drop that at the end. :D
sandm4130

I have a MCS JCW ordered from the end of Dec. 2005 and I was told to expect 6-8 wks at the time of ordering. It went into production on 1/20/06. It looks as though it will be about eight weeks. Since it is twelve days on the water to get here from Jolly Old England plus checking it over on arrival and the final transport. How long does it take to make one car?
FH

I think my car took roughly a week from start to end.
DaCrema

I ordered my MINI back in early Nov. There was an error in the spec. was found just after the car was scheduled for production or I could have had it last week. Currently due for production in the 5th week.

OHHHHHHHH the waiting. John
petsounds

The most interesting detail in this article is the fact that you mentioned more of the next-gen MINI’s components would be outsourced. Do you have further information on this? Where from? Are these cheaper parts sourced to reduce production costs over the current-gen MINI?
AZ

Hi Gabe,

Keep in mind, world production and US allocation are not always related. Let’s hope we get a few of those.

Your site’s the best!

Andrew
Bartmack

Gabe, do we (ie you =)know for sure that the current Cabrio will continue production through the 2007 model year?- I thought I remembered reading that the current Cabrio design would overlap the new platform.

If it might stop at the end of the 06MY I’d really like to know…! Thanks
http://N/A Craig

In response to Douglas. I ordered a 2006 MCS on 12/08/05 and during the plant shutdwon, I was in the paint shop. I asked MINIUSA if cars are left on the production line during shutdown and their response was no. The plant resumed operations on Jan. 13, 2006 and within three days my MCS was on the was to the dock. It is currently on the ELEKTRA in the middle of the ATLANTIC, with docking due in NYC on the 29th and BALTIMORE on 31st of January. My MCS must be one of the first 800 Gabe mentions. Although due to the plant shutdown it has taken a bit longer, I am totally enjoying following my next MCS from PRODUCTION number to my driveway. BTW I currently own a 2003 MC that will either be sold or traded in for the 2006 MCS.
http://www.motoringfile.com/ Gabe

do we (ie you =)know for sure that the current Cabrio will continue production through the 2007 model year?

Yes, it will continue on for most likely another year until. The next generation derived convertible should be released shortly after that.
Andy

Do we think this is due to them banging out cars faster than normal or because they were able to be very efficient and get a lot more cars moving out while they were shut down?

My car is in the paint shop as of today
bluzeke

I ordered my ’06 MCS on 12/17/05 and its’ build date begins today. Given that the assembly line’s supposedly been down for three weeks during that period, I’m still pretty impressed that they’ll be getting my car to me within 3-4 more weeks. (a total time of 8-9 weeks) They may have had a shutdown, but clearly, they’re up and RUNNING now! Just hope their assembly skills/quality control isn’t diminished when they’re “800 cars ahead of the proposed schedule”.
Bill

In response to Douglas. I ordered a 2006 MCS on 12/08/05 and during the plant shutdwon, I was in the paint shop. I asked MINIUSA if cars are left on the production line during shutdown and their response was no. The plant resumed operations on Jan. 13, 2006 and within three days my MCS was on the was to the dock. It is currently on the ELEKTRA in the middle of the ATLANTIC, with docking due in NYC on the 29th and BALTIMORE on 31st of January. My MCS must be one of the first 800 Gabe mentions. Although due to the plant shutdown it has taken a bit longer, I am totally enjoying following my next MCS from PRODUCTION number to my driveway.

Craig – our MCS MINIs must have been hanging out together since birth… I ordered late Nov. and was in Paint from Dec. 16 until Jan 13 or 14 when assembly completed. It was loaded on Elektra on the 18th and will be rolling off in NYC on the 29th. I love the tracking as well but it seems to make the wait all the more grinding – just why did the ship only make 39 kilometers in the past 6 hours ???
http://N/A Craig

just why did the ship only make 39 kilometers in the past 6 hours??? It appears the ELEKTRA made a turn to starboard, into the wind so that may be the reason. Glad to have finally found another MCS crossing with my MCS. We were definately in the paint shop together, I thought I ‘d never get out!!!!I agree..I am starting to get a bit anxious, too. But it will be a great spring!!!!
Greg W

I’m not sure if the factory runs 24/7 but it may be doing so now. I hope this doesn’t mean a drop in quality checking standards. However this is good news compared to the cut backs of factories by Ford USA announced in the last couple of days. It seems everyone is cutting back except MINI and BMW.
O(=^=)O Capn

DouglasÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã‚Â¦ you may have missed the previous stories on MotoringFile but the MINI plant had been expect to be shut down for most of January and throughout the year. This is good news in terms of 2006 production.

Throughout the year?!!! I thought that it was a shut down to retool in jan and then just once more to start up the new line.
Mark Smith

I have two things to say to you all. Firstly you have nothing to worry about if you’re ordering a car or have a car on order. There are plenty of S’s to go around right now where you won’t be dissappointed. Secondly even though production may be ahead of schedule I know based on what I see with the CPO program coming out for the Pre-Owned cars that we will definitely run out of cars this year meaning no more new ones until the 2007′s roll in.I’m actually very glad because the R53 will go out with a BANG! I will honestly be sad to see this car go but life goes on. I can’t explain how much credit the current model deserves for what it has done to the U.S. auto industry. “SUV” what!?
Donnie

ordered mine end of november informed it was going into production in the third week, due to have it 15th of feb hopefully sooner
Douglas

Thank you all for the very informative feedback!
Mike

I ordered my Mini 1/07/2006, I’m excited to hear that the plant is ahead of schedule! Do they ever “bump” production dates up or once you have a date that is when it will be built, no questions asked? Im really hoping for an early March delivery but as of now my MC isnt going to be built until the 7th week :( I CANT TAKE THIS WAITING!!!
sandm4130

blah! blah! BLAAH!

I want my car.

anxious?

Yes.

waiting sucks. i think there is a saying about anticipation………..
Douglas

Mike, how did you find out the build date?
Mike

My dealer told me the build week the day i ordered my Mini.
Bruce

Ordered my red/white MCS on 1/07/06. Picked it up from the dealer as a Valentines day treat! (2/14/06) They are obviously cranking them through pretty quick!

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