Official MINI UK Press Release: Six years after the start of series production, the one millionth MINI has rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford. This represents another milestone in the car’s history and highlights the continuing success story as rising global demand for the British-built car heads for new production and sales records.
MINI UK will see its biggest monthly sales record since the car went on sale in July 2001. Preliminary figures indicate 7,854 sales in March. The previous record month was in March 2006 with 7,687 sales. The new record signals the successful launch of the second-generation MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S in November 2006 and orders are strong for the forthcoming MINI One and MINI Cooper D (on sale from 14 April). 2007 also sees the launch of the new MINI Clubman. This will be the third model in the increasing MINI range, joining the Hatch and Convertible.
Since its launch MINI has defined a new market segment — the premium small car with a worldwide presence and a comprehensive range of customisation options. From Chile to China, MINI is enjoying growing popularity among customers across 80 markets around the world. Almost 80% of MINIs, which are all built to individual customer orders, are currently produced for export. While initial forecasts suggested a market for 100,000 units per year, sales have totalled more than double that figure reaching a record of 200,428 units in 2005.
Developments at Plant Oxford have reflected MINI’s success. In 2001 some 2,400 associates worked in single shift operations to build up to 300 cars a day. Today more than 4,700 associates work 24/7 to produce as many as 700 MINIs per day. During the same period maximum production capacity for the plant has risen from 100,000 to over 200,000 units per year, and in the medium term, annual capacity is planned to reach 240,000 units. In total BMW Group has invested £380 million into Plant Oxford since 2000 to increase production capacity and to prepare for new MINI derivatives.
With the launch of the second generation MINI towards the end of 2006, the MINI Production Triangle was formed as the UK plants Hams Hall and Swindon became an integral part of MINI production. Hams Hall, near Birmingham, supplies petrol engines and Swindon supplies pressings and sub-assemblies to Plant Oxford. Together they bring the total number of MINI production associates in the UK up to 6,800.
Another area in which MINI has continued to develop is in the efficient use of natural resources in the car’s production. Since the first full year of production in 2002, Plant Oxford’s energy consumption and CO2 emissions have both gone down by 20%, while water consumption has dropped by more than 30% per unit. In addition, more than 25 different waste materials from production are recycled.
Like all MINIs, the one millionth car was produced to customer order. In this case the ‘customer’ is BMW Group’s heritage division, Mobile Tradition. The colour of the landmark MINI Cooper S is Pepper White with a specially-developed paint for the roof, Almond Green, accentuated by a ‘million’ graphic extending onto the bonnet. The interior matches the roof with leather seats, steering wheel and gearknob all in Almond Green leather.
CONGRATULATIONS, MINI!!!!!!
I love that colour combination too! The bonnet graphic is very artistic!
Do the headlights have a matte blackk interior surface? It would be a shame if those went into regular production. 😉
Hey, there’s a non-mettalic green on that car!!!
For those of you that may not remember, the 500,000th MINI was built in 2005 and was delivered to a customer in California. MINIUSA flew up the lucky customer to plant Oxford in the UK for the delivery ceremony (This is the only factory delivery for a US MINI customer in record)of his new R53 MCS. The car photo is featured in the back cover of the book “New MINI Second Edition” by Graham Robson. It was a Dark Silver/Black MCS with 17″ webspokes, xenons, exterior chrome pack and black bonnet stripes.
I think the owner of this car used to post in NAM but it would be interesting to know if he still owns the car.
Interesting that the 1 million R56 MCS is a left hand drive model.
Nice looking MINI. The interior combo would be nice to see. Would probably be reminicient of the short lived silk green with green/grey leather interior.
I like the bonnet stripe. Can I get that in silver?
Congratulations, MINI.
Sexy automobile, that is. It reminds me again why I’ve ordered my R56. Still with you on that flat green, though… can I get my car covered from boot to bonnet in that lovely shade??
Happy 1st millionth!!!
Only 4 million to go to match classic Mini. Speaking of old Mini – that Almond Green colour was one of the limited choices available on 1961-68 Mk 1 Coopers. Almond green body with old english white roof.
Quite appropriate really.
Pity they don’t make a limited edition Million edition.
Alwaysopencharlie – you could get your dealer to respray your car… or can you get an individual car made by the factory like BMW offer?
Hey check out this 1964 Mini Cooper in Almond green for sale by auction in New Zealand…
<a href="http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mini/auction-93827173.htm" rel="nofollow ugc">http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Cars/Mini/auction-93827173.htm</a>
I think it’s really cool!
Green with off white piping? Very nice looking interior from the little bit you can see in the first photo. I’d buy that.
Hey, let’s not forget about MINI #1,000,001… the Cool Blue Cooper Convertible sitting next in line.
Hooray!
Just incredible ….. I always had a passionate inner feeling when the new MINI burst onto the scene our planet would fall in love with this Motoring Phenom as I certainly have and forevermore will…….BRAVO MINI BRAVO
the green web spokes are a nice touch too. So where does this special car go? Don’t tell me they are going to let it sit in a “collection” somewhere. Somebody has got to drive that baby.
Sadly, MINI 1 million will sit for the rest of eternity as a museum collection piece. Pretty much like the first R50 2001 MINI Cooper, the JCW GP roof #0001, etc, etc.