BMW to Potentially Build MINIs in Germany

Sections: R55 (Clubman) | R56 (Hatch) | R57 (Conv.) | R58 (Coupe) | R59 (Roadster) Oct 5th, 2009 19 Comments

BMW is mulling the idea of moving some MINI production to one of its German plants likely when MINI starts production of the new Coupe and Speedster models in 2012. While have publicly said that both of those cars will be built at the Oxford plant, it seems that BMW is now looking to shift production of either the R55, R56 or R57 to a BMW plant in Germany according to the Independent. Here’s an excerpt:

Cowley, the Oxford plant that is one of the UK’s biggest remaining car factories, cannot meet demand for all the new vehicles, including the new Coupe and the Roadster. It builds around 200,000 cars annually but the launch of the new Minis means the plant will soon exhaust capacity and a new production line will be needed.

Mini’s owner, BMW, is thought to be looking at production at its state-of-the-art Regensburg plant where three million BMWs have now been assembled by its 10,000 workers. It is likely to add capacity there rather than in Oxford because of currency exchange rates and other costs that will make it more competitive.

Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW’s head of car production, said: “In the longer term, given the strong growth of the Mini brand, we will have to think about a further production site. We could imagine a German factory for the production of Mini-based models.”

This would be the second time that BMW has produced a MINI outside of the UK. The first will be the R60 crossover which will be produced by Magna in Austria early next year.

+ Booming MINI Demand to be Fed by Extra Production in Germany / Independent

Written By: Gabe

Michael

The Krauts own the company – Isn’t that enough. Keep the MINI English – Add another production line in Oxford.
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C4

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.
Bilbo Baggins

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

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.
rkw

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).
Ryan T.

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.
Paul

So will i be able to get euro delivery
rhawth99

I’m fine with them building MINIs in Germany. I’d like it even better if they built some MINIs here in the US.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1428674475 Richard Bowman

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

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…
Roger

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!
rkw

Will they continue to promote Union Jack themed accessories?
Michael

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.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1003965445 Harry Dill

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.
Vogel

As a Krauthead American, I am supportive of any moves by BMW which might result in improved quality of the product.
C4

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.
robble

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

I’d say it was even wildly successful too.
Steve

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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