Official BMW Group Press Release: The new MINI Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) will be built by Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz, Austria. The vehicle concept, devised by MINI Design and BMW Group engineers, has been entrusted to Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik for series development and for later production.
The cooperation with Magna Steyr is an efficient way for BMW Group to ensure the planned profitable growth through new model launches set out in the company’s strategic alignment.
By outsourcing production of the MINI SAV, BMW Group is able to increase flexibility within its own production network. This allows the lead plant for MINI production in Oxford to fully direct its midterm capacity of 260,000 units towards meeting demand for the three core models MINI, MINI Convertible and MINI Clubman. It is this outsourcing of MINI SAV production that makes the extension of the MINI family possible. Frank-Peter Arndt, Head of Production and Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, explains the advantages: “By using Magna Steyr for production, we are able to give our own Production Network some breathing space to respond fully to market needs. This solution will also allow us to bring the MINI SAV to the market as quickly as possible.”
Magna Steyr is an experienced partner of BMW Group, having already produced the highly successful BMW X3. Speaking about the new contract, Siegfried Wolf, co-CEO of Magna International, sees this as a “huge recognition of the work that Magna Steyr has achieved so far through its partnership with BMW Group. Above all, I’m delighted for our employees, as this will allow us to set another milestone in our long-running and successful cooperation with BMW Group. As we have done before, we will work on this vehicle programme with our fullest commitment to ensure that we meet BMW Group’s high expectations.”
As with all partnerships, BMW Group itself will be steering all aspects concerning the brand and the concept of the MINI SAV project. Thus, the majority of the drive train development will be realised by BMW. In addition, BMW Group will design the supply contracts with the suppliers whilst Magna will be responsible for call-offs during series production. The MINI designers will ensure that the vehicle will be a true MINI.
Further details about the product and production will be communicated prior to the vehicle’s market launch.
Yeah! Here we go. AWD! AWD!
So there will be an AWD variant, as well as a JCW Clubman.
I still want both in one vehicle. A driver oriented, all wheel drive, JCW Clubman.
Please.
But, from the looks of it, it’s going to be one or the other, but not both.
Hey there, first time poster.
Im glad things are moving along for the SAV. I just hope, this dosent mean quality drop because although the X3 has been very successful, there is ALOT of electrical problem with the X3. I hope that dosent effect the MINI line…
We will never see AWD come to the coupe or clubman. It would require them to do a massive redesign of the undercarriage.
Just move the exhaust to side pipes, clearing room for the drive shaft to go back to the rear axle!
I see some interesting variations in the future, factory made or not.
In previous MF articles about the clubman is was suggested (by a commenter, not MF) that the clubman “may” be produced in SC, however this BMW press release indicates that the Clubman will be produced at Oxford. Just an observation by an interested hopeful future Clubman owner.
THIS IS GREAT NEWS. JUST ADD DIESEL AND VOILA!
Maybe they should have thrown Bertone this Bone!!
Well this is bad news for USA Automotive assembly industry where extra jobs could have been created.
However, I am sure that politics have been involved in this decision perhaps as a compromise with another decision.
Will the Getrag AWD transmission from a copule of years ago as feature in MF get the green light?
Oh No, Just what we need, another SUV POS.
Altogether now all the sheep out there say BAAAARRRR…we want one tooo….
It’s all very exciting, but I still just need a coupe.
So, it’s Canadian, eh? (Magna being Cdn.)
=R=
when it will come to market
Its being made in the same factory in Austria ,where they make that cr@p X3 . Lets hope the build quality is way better
<p>Very useful information. Thanks for this. You got a great blog by the way Graz is a very lovely city I enjoyed it so much</p>