International MINI Production "within 10 years"?

[Rakey]

It was bound to happen at some point, as MINI is a global brand now, and its the only way to be competitive in other markets to produce more local as transport costs and import taxes kill sales otherwise.

I'm sure this doesn't spell an end for UK production, just more of there plans for achieving more global sales

[Sowellman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

I'm sure this doesn't spell an end for UK production, just more of there plans for achieving more global sales

That's my thinking. Already, Toyota manufacturers Japanese cars in the U.S.; Ford builds American cars in Mexico. So even if Mini builds new factories in countries outside England or the U.K., I don't believe it will dilute the brand appeal. Only the romantic notion that all of their cars have come from Oxford.

Speaking of which, is it true that some added smarts rub off on Mini owners because their cars have gone to Oxford? That's what I'm hoping, anyway.

[nephilin]

If manufacturing were to shift overseas and this reduces the cost of purchasing a MINI in the UK, then I have no complaints whatsoever.

[mister.t]

As long as the quality is (well dare I say as good or better :|) than the R56, then I have no problem with that.

[Washy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

Yes, but this is from Dr.Streichmeister, so I guess it carries more weight.

Interesting name that...especially if you run it through Babel fish.....

[Mayfair Nick]

take NAC for example who took MGROVERS production lines to China , they had to take some of the Longbridge team with them as no one in China was skilled enough to know how to produce the cars on them . somehow i think it very unwise on MINI/BMW to move production out of Oxford as the Cowley plant has history and has always out performed the Longbridge plant in its early years.

[MINICooperMurph]

April fool??

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mayfair Nick (original)

take NAC for example who took MGROVERS production lines to China , they had to take some of the Longbridge team with them as no one in China was skilled enough to know how to produce the cars on them . somehow i think it very unwise on MINI/BMW to move production out of Oxford as the Cowley plant has history and has always out performed the Longbridge plant in its early years.

Its not a case of moving production out of Oxford, its a case of complimenting, just as BMW already manufacture BMW's elsewhere to keep up with demand.

Oxford is already at capacity, so namely why the GP was assembled in Italy, why the new 4x4 will be Austria, this will just aid the saloon production and reduce costs as I already posted as certain countries have hefty import duties on cars

Me personally though, I want a UK built MINI, hmmm, so why have I just brought a GP

[*Vikki*]

i really hope this dosent happen, just dont want my car comming from india etc

[Rakey]

Quote: Originally Posted by *Vikki* (original)

i really hope this dosent happen, just dont want my car comming from india etc

But those Rover City things came from there, and they were really

[Tigger, Eeyore & Roo]

The R56 was not designed in this country and now we can be softened up to the idea of it no longer being exclusively assembled here. Starting to move some production away from the UK was pretty inevitable, although it will be a shame as we can pretty much expect any further expansion of production and employment in the UK to be capped by such a move.

Once the car is assembled in lower cost areas this may be used as a reason to actually transfer some of current production away from the Oxford plant.

As an aside, I would like to add this little quote to a special archive for complete gibberish here on Mini2:

"Addressing a gaggle of British Journalists, he said, bizarrely "If you're in a hotel in Germany and order a Full English Breakfast, you don't question that the bacon is Danish and the beans from North America, it's still an English Breakfast, and the MINI will be a British Car, where ever it's final assembly may be".

How much is this man paid?

Tigger.

[minicabrio]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rakey (original)

But those Rover City things came from there, and they were really

Wrong way round, it was the City Rover...

[mab01uk]

A very upset customers 2003 City Rover is in my local independant Garage but they can't locate any spare parts for it, no pattern parts are availiable either, they eventually found an air filter but its on a 10 week delivery from India!

[Derepente]

The first MINI I saw was in Colombia. I was visiting family and my cousins said the car was called a "Topolino". To this day I don't know why that name, but it brings back memories to see those pics of the "Colombian Mini's". Thanks for the nice flash back CooperS4us

[CooperS4us]

Derepente, actually the name "Topolino" was commonly used on the old Fiat 500s that were sold there for so many years.

Glad that you enjoyed the pics!