BMW will continue to expand production at the Mini's plant in Oxford



I never heard the rumor of a US-made Mini but I guess you never know what could happen 5 years from now if sales of BMW's Z4 continue to sink (as stated in full article) and the Euro contines to rise as the US dollar drops or stays flat.

from http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101666

"U.S. sales of the Mini were virtually flat in 2004, but global sales continue to rise.

Speaking in Detroit this month, BMW Chairman Helmut Panke dismissed the notion of producing the Mini in the United States. He said BMW will continue to expand production at the Mini's plant in Oxford, England"

 

I'd like to see them keep production in Oxford.

 

I have no major problem with USA production. Would cut down significantly on wait time most likely. The engine is already built in Brazil.

 

I must say there was a certain pride for me having the Mini built in England and shipped over

 

I don't know. Most toyotas and hondas are already built in US and people still consider them 'foreign cars'. Aside from the fact that most fancy 'foreign' cars are already owned by the big three auto manufacturers including names like Jaguar, volvo, lamborghini, etc.

 

Actually the next-gen 2007 Mini will have a European made motor supplied by a joint venture beteeen BMW and Peugeot. If BMW ever decided to make NorthAmerican bound Minis here in the US it would most likely be 4 years from now after the Z4 has gone through it product cycle and the plant could be retooled to make Mini's.

 

Cheers to that! ^^^

Now where did I leave that article... ?? I was reading recently (it was another post, now that I think about it, with a link to a National Geographic article about how the MINI is of rather "global" origins).

Put together in Oxford sure, but the parts are from all over, and the source-countries even change. It was a little bit "breezy" of an article, not my usual taste (and I'm a Nat'l Geographic subscriber! oh man, early onset of senility, here I come).

The thing that bothered me was a line from a MINI management muckymuck. He was making the point about how the same part might come from different places, at different times, and he said they source parts from "... whoever is making it cheapest and best". Those 2 words don't usually go together, do they?? <furrowed brow smiley>

Now, I'm in I/T (or whatever acronym they're calling it this week ), and when we spec out projects we say we'll do your project for you "QUICKLY, CHEAPLY, and CORRECTLY (now pick any 2 of those)"

Ah well, I'm gonna go knock off some more break-in miles,
Tatt

 

I don't care where my car is made. Given the number of manufacturering jobs leaving the US, I suppose I would welcome American production of anything.

 

One advantage for US customers would be the ability to pick up the car and have the opportunity to do some MINI track driving at the factory similar to what BMW now offers for the Z4. Since they still don't have a European delivery plan, it would be the next best thing.

And if I'm not mistaken, Toyota has found that the cars produced in the US are as good - if not better (at least from a warranty/cost issue) than simiar cars produced in Japan. There's nothing wrong with the US workforce. And if the dollar continues its slide it may well be the only way to produce a MINI at the same price level. After all, US production is what allows the Japanese to continue selling their product at an affordable price.

 

I 2nd the idea of US made Mini's with their own race circuit for Mini owners.

 

How many MINIs sell in the U.S. each year?

 

I'm well aware of the news about the new engine, but you don't have one of those...and neither does anyone here. My point is that all the pride one might feel about a 'foreign' built car is mostly perception. One could argue that it harkens back to the roots of the original mini, etc, but if the car was built here, I doubt it would change many peoples feelings about how fun they are to drive. I don't think anyone would shy away. Anyway, I can guarentee that the decision to build the car in the UK wasn't based on history, but on the bottom line.

On the other hand, with a weak dollar and worsening trade deficit, would your decison possibly change if the car cost 2000-4000$ more than it does now. How about if it cost that much less? I can guess which would be most likely to sway someone.