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MINI SAV Production Location Update

For almost a year we’ve been reporting that the MINI off-roader (now officially code-named the R60) would either be built at BMW’s Spartanburg SC Plant or by Magna Steyr in Austria. Recently it’s become clear from several sources (and several high-ranking publications) that Magna Steyr had won out and will be building the R60 where the current X3 is produced in Austria. However in this week’s edition, Auto Express is reporting that BMW has apparently not signed the deal yet and will in fact be producing the new MINI in the US. To that we say… huh?

First off we have to admit that the Auto Express track record with recent MINI information isn’t confidence inspiring when it comes to information like this. And our sources appear to be adamant that Austria will be the production location. However the idea of the car being built in the US makes a lot more sense financially due to the current state of currency markets. Especially considering the US make very well make up the largest market for the vehicle.

That said, we still don’t believe a word of it. Expect Magna Steyr to begin production in Austria for the new MINI just in time for the 2010 model year. And expect Auto Express to continue to work hard to sell magazines.

We’ll have more on MINI’s new SAV in the coming weeks and months.

[ British blow as bosses plan Monte's US move ] Auto Express

YuccaPatrol Nov 29th, 2007 Link

“we still don’t believe a word of it”. . .

funny Gabe!

Tony Nov 29th, 2007 Link

The odds say they’ve got to get something right sooner or later ………………..probably later.

Mark Nov 29th, 2007 Link

hmmmmm….have a friend who works at the Spartanburg plant. He says MINI people have been swarming all over the place for months.

GregW Nov 29th, 2007 Link

And the winner is; MINI Monte? Is this name the Full Monty or an abbreviation? Surely it should be the full version – Monte Carlo. But I guess that is getting a bit long to make a badge to fit on the boot lid.

Steve Nov 29th, 2007 Link

Will this be all wheel drive? The article only mentions front wheel drive.

Jon Nov 29th, 2007 Link

Auto-express seem to write the facts they have and then fill in the rest with conjecture selling it as fact also. Think if they did a better job separating fact from speculation they would be a better source of info.

I don’t personally care where they build this though with the value of the dollar think building in Spartanburg would have some solid reasons behind it. Have to say though that this is the first time I dread hearing more news in weeks and months ahead on Motoringfile heh.

CPatisaul Nov 30th, 2007 Link

Why not both? Couldn’t they build European bound vehicles in Austria, and American bound ones in Spartanburg?

Or, perhaps there are two SAV models, similar to the way the X3 is built in Austria and the X5 is built in South Carolina…

Jon Nov 30th, 2007 Link

Or maybe not to build a SUV and not worry about. After all last time I saw the “SUV backlash” was still in force heh.

MINIme Dec 3rd, 2007 Link

With snow coming soon, to an area near you, I wish this vehicle was already in production! I like the idea of an Austrian build rather than S.C. In the mean time, I might just find a way to convert my “05 S to AWD and put on a lift kit and some big gas-hogging tires… Yeeehaaaaw!

Jon Dec 3rd, 2007 Link

Snow doesn’t cause my Mini’s to be garage queens. This may change with a factory jcw once I out on the aero kit, but FWD is still excellent control in the snow.

MINIme Dec 3rd, 2007 Link

I have dsc and ltd slip and my ‘05 S scares the hell out of me on even a wet road. I have been out in light snow once and I was all over the road (side note: I have driven in inclimate weather all my life, so it is not my driving). I attribute this to the tires (Goodyear runflats). I cannot wear these tires out, but desperately want to swap them out for anything else. I will go with a non-runflat when I can justify the expense or finally wear out the Goodyears. Meanwhile, I proceed with extreme caution on slick roads, which efectively takes the fun out of driving the car…

Jon Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Lol yea, I am not a fan of the Mini run flats, first thing I change on every Mini to date before the car leaves the dealership lol.

PaulGraz Dec 4th, 2007 Link

With decent snow tires, my 03 MCS goes through snow like mad. Who needs AWD?

Detroit News is reporting that Magna has won the contract, as of today.

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071204/UPDATE/712040428/1148/rss25

PaulGraz Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Sorry – let’s try that again:

DetroitNews

Jon Dec 4th, 2007 Link

Now just have to hope for a massive worldwide recession by 2010 so BMW doesn’t force this bloated beast into the world with a Mini badge on it.

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MINI SAV Production Location Update

Sections: R60 (Crossover) | Rumor Nov 29th, 2007 15 Comments

Written By: Gabe