We’ve got some follow-up information on the recent Oxford plant construction article posted a few weeks back. According to a few sources, MINI should see decreased sales numbers in ’06 due to the plant shut down in January, various construction projects, and the introduction of the next generation MINI in late summer. Expect total sales to by less than 184,357 number sold worldwide last year and wait times to increase around the world. If this happens, 2006 would be the first year with lower sales than the previous one.
Once the construction is finished and the new section of the plant online, we can expect capacity to be raised to around 240,000 units annually.
We’ll have more on the next generation timeline in the coming weeks and months.
I just noticed this, but is the front grill hint at the fact that its a BMW signature grill? (the two holes laid side by side)
Allan:
Actually, if you look behind the grill on your current MINI, you’ll see the plastic (I think it’s plastic) housing that looks like that. It’s present on my ’06 MINI.
It’s a good thing I did’nt wait to get my 06. I was going to wait till after X-mass. Good thing I’m impatient.
Looks like we can count on high resale values for a bit longer.
at least it will keep resale nice and healthy for 2006 on our current cars.
Bilbo……you beat me to it. we must have been writing at the exact same time. haha
ugh….I need to get my order in ASAP.
this is great news.
they should lower the production even more.
less minis = better
there already has been dilution of the cool factor of the mini..
i mean MINI
classic mini = tons of cool
I planned on ordering an ’06 MCS JCW with my tax return…that sounds like it will be during the slowdown. argh
Well. . . I put my order in today. Should have a production number later today. Here’s to hopefully beating the shutdown.
Anybody want to buy a STS2/CSP prepped Miata?
The only reason “sales” will be decreased in 2006 is because a proportion of the build volume will be the R56 which will not be on sale…
Production will more than likely be slightly reduced but should ramp-up faily swifty around launch time…
x ‘spect
Congrats Trick way cool! =:)
JimOhio……….It Ain’t an Enzo……..good lord man!
I haven’t been lurking around here in a wile. So I see that Jim Ohio is still here.
Jim if you want “Tons of cool” do what I did. Get a Chevy SSR. There were not a lot built and it will be out of production this summer. The ’06 will be the last year of the SSR roadster pickup. So using your logic the Chevy SSR is your dream car.
PS. I love mine and you can’t have it
Does anybody know when the plant expansion will be complete? We in Alabama are hoping to get our 1st dealership after the expansion is done.