BMW to Potentially Build MINIs in Germany

Michael Oct 5th, 2009 Link

The Krauts own the company – Isn’t that enough. Keep the MINI English – Add another production line in Oxford.

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MotoringFile » Archive » MF Poll: Would You Buy a German Built MINI? Oct 5th, 2009 Link

[...] the news that BMW is considering moving some overflow MINI production to one of it’s German plants, we’re curious to here your thoughts. So it’s poll [...]

C4 Oct 5th, 2009 Link

The Krauts own the brand and are the ones that call the shots. The days of an all 100% Mini free of BMW parts are well over.

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Bilbo Baggins Oct 5th, 2009 Link

Cars are such a hodge-podge of world parts, what difference would it make.

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Sideways Eh! Oct 5th, 2009 Link

As long as they dont shift the production to China…it’s all good…You are just sharing production from one set of highly skilled workers with fair working policies to another set of highly skilled workers with fair working policies.

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rkw Oct 5th, 2009 Link

The days of an all 100% Mini free of BMW parts are well over.

What are you talking about? From the very beginning MINI always had lots of BMW parts. Start with the lug bolts and move right on up to complete modules like the Navigation computer (the 1st gen unit is interchangeable with those on BMW).

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Ryan T. Oct 5th, 2009 Link

If it’s German built, fine. English, fine. It doesn’t matter where it’s made/assembled, whatever. The auto trans is made in Japan, so it’s not all English! Suffice to say, it doesn’t matter where it’s made.

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Paul Oct 5th, 2009 Link

So will i be able to get euro delivery

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rhawth99 Oct 5th, 2009 Link

I’m fine with them building MINIs in Germany. I’d like it even better if they built some MINIs here in the US.

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Richard Bowman Oct 5th, 2009 Link

germany- england-austria; i’m just glad bmw saved mini !

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Brian Oct 5th, 2009 Link

I read somewhere that various companies, including Porsche & BMW/MINI were reviewing the contracts they have with Magna, because of their upcoming takeover of Opel/Vauxhall… the thinking being is that Magna will then have a vested interest, and the car companies don’t want a competitor to have intimate knowledge of forthcoming products. Could that mean that the Countryman(?) will not be built in Austria – maybe it is heading to Dingolfing or Leipzig? If it does, as suggested, share some componentry with the X1, then it might not be so difficult to do. Timescales look tight though…

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Roger Oct 5th, 2009 Link

I’m ok with MINIs built in Germany. Maybe then they could offer Euro delivery. If so, it’s time for MINI #3 for me!

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rkw Oct 5th, 2009 Link

Will they continue to promote Union Jack themed accessories?

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Michael Oct 6th, 2009 Link

Why not a plant in the US? That way we could satisfy US demand as well as all of North and South America. We could ship out of the West Coast and also out of the East coast. There is a Saturn Plant that will soon be vacant…That might be an excellent location.

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Harry Dill Oct 6th, 2009 Link

To begin with, I must take umbrage to the disparaging reference of Germans as “Krauts.” If I were of German decent (albeit during this month of Octoberfest) I would be grossly offended by such commentary much less by such editorial negligence.

As for German MINI manufacture vs. UK — I don’t think it makes any substantive difference. While I can appreciate the notion in favor of preserving cultural tradition akin to the monarchy itself, our contemporary weltanschaung has been dramatically altered vis-a-vis unprecedented economic globalization.

There are many arguable examples that have already unraveled the nationalistic threads that once inspired citizens. Those days are for the most part bygone. BMW and M-B are now U.S. made, as are some Japanese brands. American and German brands are now “Hecho en Mexico.” Harley-Davidson — that much lauded “Great American Freedom Machine” ironically sources many of its components from Asia. While there are a few British makes that continue to manufacture in the UK, e.g., Land Rover, BMW owned Rolls-Royce, VW owned Bentley, Aston Martin and Jaguar, many components are outsourced.

On a personal level, I am in favor of preserving the British MINI legacy. I also recognize the economic realities confronting multinational businesses that regrettably must take precedence. What about the vast proportion of U.S. real estate now owned by foreign investors, including the British and Germans? Relatively speaking, this is a far more significant issue that warrants our concern than where a vehicle happens to be manufactured.

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Vogel Oct 6th, 2009 Link

As a Krauthead American, I am supportive of any moves by BMW which might result in improved quality of the product.

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C4 Oct 6th, 2009 Link

RKW, my comment was aimed at the Classic Mini owners that still bemoan to this day the fact that BMW took over their beloved niche car and turned it into a world success like they could have never imagined.

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robble Oct 6th, 2009 Link

C4 – the original Mini wasn’t exactly a flop.

I’d say it was even wildly successful too.

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Steve Oct 21st, 2009 Link

My only concern with the article is that if the demand is so great, why did the shut down the Oxford factory for a week or two this year? I’m sure the shut down was a wise business decision, but the “big” picture doesn’t sync. That said, BMW makes great automobiles and MINI is one of these. I fancy the MINI as an European vehicle that is produced by various European countries. It’s cool that way. It would be a shame to cut GB out, esp. due to the historical significance. But…I’ll take mine from Germany anytime.

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