04/23/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2021 02:27
2000 |
September - Decision to move production of MINI from Longbridge to Oxford |
2001 |
April 26 - Start of MINI Production at Plant Oxford
July 7 - New MINI Hatch is launched in the UK (First Generation)
October 24 - Cooper S unveiled at 2001 Tokyo Motor Show |
2002 |
May 16 - Diesel MINI announcedFollowing the MINI One and MINI Cooper launch in 2001 and the impending arrival of MINI Cooper S on June 8, it was confirmed today at BMW Group's Annual General Meeting that a diesel MINI will be available in 2003.May 30 - 100,000th MINI built at Plant OxfordThe 100,000th MINI has come off the production line at BMW Group Plant Oxford today (30 May) just 13 months after the car went into volume production. The car, an electric blue MINI Cooper S, is one of more than 4,000 Cooper S models already ordered by UK customers even before the 163 bhp supercharged top-of-the range MINI goes on sale in the UK on 8 June. Following the launch of the MINI in the UK in July 2001, over 25,000 MINI One and MINI Cooper models have been sold in its home market. |
2004 |
April 23 - MINI Cooper S Convertible launched BMW Group announces £40 million investment at BMW Group Plant Swindon
August 25 - 500,000th MINI produced at Plant OxfordThe 500,000th MINI has come off the production line at BMW Group Plant Oxford |
2005 |
500,000 engines delivered by Hams Hall
November 15 - Autocar names MINI Car Manufacturer of the Year 2005 |
2006 |
February 21 - MINI Cooper S with MINI John Cooper Works GP Kit unveiled at Geneva Motor Show
August 14 - Second Generation MINI Hatch launched
September 19 - Major investment & prince engine supplied to Oxford from Hams Hall, creating the Production Triangle for the first time+ £200 million investment and 450 new jobs created by BMW Group. November 16 - New MINI on sale in the UK. |
2007 |
January 16 - MINI One and Cooper D introduced to the MINI UK range
MINI Plant Oxford pioneers innovative paint technology
July 30 - MINI Clubman launched for the first time |
2008 |
Tours begin at MINI Plant Oxford December 1 - Second generation MINI Convertible launchedThe new MINI Convertible is set to make a welcome return to UK roads in 2009, with a completely new version of the British-built favourite due to go on sale on 28 March 2009. MINI Cooper and Cooper S derivatives featuring innovative engine technologies will be offered at launch, meaning fans of the compact, premium new MINI Convertible are guaranteed performance, frugality, minimal running costs and a unique image as standard. |
2009 |
May 8 - 50 Years of MINI Production at Plant OxfordFifty years ago today, the first Mini rolled off the production line at Cowley, now called Plant Oxford. For the first time in half a century that very car is returning to its birthplace for a celebration of 50 years of production. The Mini Minor, finished in Old English White and carrying the registration number 621 AOK, is at Plant Oxford for the day to mark its birthday in style. June 24 - MINI E trials begin, backed by UK GovernmentBMW Group's successful application to the UK Government's Technology Strategy Board followed an invitation for proposals outlining innovative, industry-led collaborative research projects involving ultra-low carbon vehicles. The objective of the Technology Strategy Board is to encourage manufacturers to develop ultra-low carbon vehicles that customers want to buy and bring them to market as rapidly as possible. MINI E models will be on UK roads for a twelve-month field trial that will evaluate the technical and social aspects of living with an all-electric vehicle in a real world environment. This yearlong project will play an important part in informing future strategic and technological decisions. MINI Olympic Torch passes through MINI Plant Oxford, held by associate Jodie Evans.
September - MINI John Cooper Works GP announced |
2010 |
January 20 - MINI Countryman launched (produced in Graz, Austria) December 19 - MINI Paceman concept unveiled |
2011 |
24 February - MINI Rocketman concept unveiled at Milan Fashion Week 2011
23 September - MINI Coupé announced |
2012 |
MINI London 2012 Edition announced 16 April - MINI Roadster announcedThe MINI Roadster is the first premium model of its kind in the small car segment, offering buyers a unique package that will bring the joy of MINI ownership to a passionate and demanding group of new customers. Selling alongside the Hatch, Convertible, Clubman, Countryman and Coupé, the MINI Roadster is in UK showrooms now. 15 November - MINI breaks World Record, squeezing 28 MINI Fans into a 2012 MINI. |
2013 |
8 March - Celebrating 100 years of car-making in Oxford 12 March - 250,000th MINI Countryman leaves the factory
21 March - MINI Paceman unveiled
November 18 - David Cameron visits Plant Oxford to see worldwide debut of Third Generation MINI |
2014 |
13 March - Third Generation MINI Hatch launchedEven though the new MINI Hatch is instantly recognisable - something which comes from having such a globally identifiable design - the car is completely new from the ground up. Every component has been back to the drawing board in an effort to optimise its function, performance and style. The result is 'The New Original', a MINI which is distinctly familiar but enhanced in every single way. It features significant improvements in technology, engine efficiency and power delivery, driving dynamics, quality and - of course - personalisation. Inside, the new MINI Hatch is quieter than the outgoing model, with improvements to acoustic refinement inside the cabin.
4 June - First ever five-door Hatch unveiled 1 July - First 5-Door Hatch rolls off production line at Plant Oxford
One of the UK's largest roof-mounted solar farms is installed at MINI Plant Oxford.On the roof of the bodyshop, the solar farm has more than 11,500 panels, covering 20,000 square metres (five football pitches). It generates enough electricity to power the equivalent of 850 households (over 3 megawatts). This allows Plant Oxford to reduce its carbon footprint by approximately 1,500 tonnes of C02 per year. |
2015 |
25 June - MINI gets a new logo Building Cars: Secrets of the Assembly Line for BBC1 filmed live across two evenings at Plant Oxford. First aired in August 2015.
3 November - Second generation MINI Clubman launched
Second generation MINI John Cooper Works GP launched at Paris Motor Show (2,000 units globally) |
2016 |
23 January - Third generation MINI Convertible announced Plant Oxford celebrates 15th anniversary April 6 - Plant Oxford joins Instagram June 20 - David Cameron & Harriet Harman visit Plant Oxford BMW Group celebrates centenary BMW Group launches Strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT. 2 December - Plant Oxford celebrates 3,000,000th MINI rolling off the assembly line since production began in 2001. |
2017 |
The Drum Social Buzz award for 'MINI Plant Oxford Instagram'
17 January - Second generation MINI Countryman unveiled |
2018 |
BMW Group launches UK apprenticeship programme at Plant Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall |
2019 |
MINI celebrates 60 Years of MINI
19 June - Italian Job 50 th anniversary celebrated at Plant Oxford
9 July - MINI Electric announced
9 August - 10,000,000th MINI built at MINI Plant Oxford 25 September - Hams Hall celebrates 5,000,000th engine production across both BMW and MINI
20 November - 3rd MINI John Cooper Works GP announced
MINI Plant Oxford given 'Best Told Story' accolade from the official tourism agency for England, Visit England (won again in 2020) |
2020 |
January - MINI Electric customer production begins at Plant Oxford. The MINI Electric is fully integrated into the production process at Plant Oxford, making it the first BMW Group Plant to have electric running down the same line as the combustion engine models, allowing flexibility in production according to global demand. By the end of 2020, a total of 17,580 were sold and delivered to customers around the world, 3,385 of which in the UK. No production output from 23 March to 18 May due to Coronavirus Pandemic MINI Plant Oxford given 'Best Told Story' accolade from the official tourism agency for England, Visit England
30 July - Plant Oxford achieves production milestone, producing 11,000 MINI Electric models |
2021 |
17 March - MINI confirms its last combustion engine model will be launch in 2025 and the brand will become electric only from the early 2030s.
30 March - MINI announces MINI Electric Pacesetter car for Formula E, inspired by John Cooper Works. |
Ends
The BMW Group
With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world's leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. The BMW Group production network comprises 31 production and assembly facilities in 15 countries; the company has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2020, the BMW Group sold over 2.3 million passenger vehicles and more than 169,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax in the financial year 2020 was € 5.222 billion on revenues amounting to € 98.990 billion. As of 31 December 2020, the BMW Group had a workforce of 120,726 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company set the course for the future at an early stage and consistently makes sustainability and efficient resource management central to its strategic direction, from the supply chain through production to the end of the use phase of all products.
www.bmwgroup.com
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MINI Press Office Contacts:
Helen Wilson
Senior Press Officer, BMW & MINI Communications
Tel: 07815 372480
Email: [email protected]
Georgina Cox
MINI Media Relations Manager
Tel: 07815 370878
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Emma Begley
General Manager, Product and Internal Communications
Tel: 07815 371062
Email: [email protected]
Graham Biggs
Corporate Communications Director
Tel: 07815 376867
Email: [email protected]
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