Since we ran this story (originally titled “Production Shortage at Oxford?”) I've recently been informed that there is no parts shortage at the MINI plant in Oxford. Good thing to becuase that title was really nice to delete! The plant in Oxford typically seems to run like a well oiled machine so any type of shortage would be a bit out of the ordinary. That being said there seems to be some shortages in the allotments of the 2005 Cooper at some US dealerships. Here's some insight from someone at one of these dealers:

” We were one of the top 10 dealers in the country last year, so our allocations have been pretty big (we got almost 40 Coopers for June production), but we were only allocated 5 Coopers for July (first run of \'05\'s) and 0! for August.

Of course we only got 12 MCS's for August production and 5 each of the convertibles, so things are tight all over.

Update: We've got word from a source on the other side of the pond on the real issues at play here:

The normal allocations are lower for 'stock' vehicles due to the change from 04 to 05 spec and the introduction of Cabrio, which effectively soaks up 30% of what would have been pure hatchback cars. Demand for Cabrio has gone ballistic, so something has to give, that coupled with 05 change over means
that waiting times will inevitably increase for a while until things settle
down again. That said 'and off the record' we're looking at ways to increase
production still further.

So there you have it! Now go out and order your 2005 MINIs!