[Paul]

MINI to be Produced in India, Austria and USA "within 10 years"...

Comments on above article, thoughts on International MINI production in General?

I guess they did it with the Classic in Italy and Australia, so why not the new one? But not sure about the "Britishness" angle?

[Restyle]

Makes sense, Labour rates are very high in the UK compared to India

[Jordan210]

As long as the ONE Cooper and S will still be mad in Oxford it will be ok with me.

[morrisminiminor]

First thing I thought was Production costs would be much lower.but I couldn't see why they would spend all that money upgrading the plant here then I remembered what date it was.

morrisminiminor

[Tone]

My own view is that as sure as night follows day [or is it the other way around ] it will be coming. Water finds its own level, and manufacturers have been leaving this country en masse for over half a century - it sure ain't gonna change. So, Oxford affectionardos, get used to it

[Tone]

P.S I'd already posted this idea on 30th March [see "BMW in India" under MINI in the Media]

[envy]

I suppose with Supply maybe increasing, Oxford is not going to be able to handle the Workload.

However

The other angle is - with production cheaper overseas (India in particular) then would there be a "business" need for Oxford (Excluding the debate on Britishness)

[CooperS4us]

As long as the quality and prices are kept in check, i would not mind owning a MINI made in Austria, India or right here in the US. Remember that BMW's X3 is made in Austria and the Z4 and X5 are built right here in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Some BMW 3 series are made in Rosslyn, South Africa and those cars are as good and solid as 3 series assembled in Munich.

[CooperS4us]

Quote: Originally Posted by Paul Mullett (original)

MINI to be Produced in India, Austria and USA "within 10 years"...

Comments on above article, thoughts on International MINI production in General?

I guess they did it with the Classic in Italy and Australia, so why not the new one? But not sure about the "Britishness" angle?

Also the classic Mini was built under license in Venezuela back in the early 1990's under the moniker "MiniCord". It had a fiberglass body instead of a steel body shell. It was sold primarily in Colombia and Venezuela.

Also classic Minis were built in Uruguay under license.

BMW is no stranger to global manufacturing practices.

[Paul]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tone (original)

P.S I'd already posted this idea on 30th March [see "BMW in India" under MINI in the Media]

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

[Paul]

I don't recall hearing of the Mini Cord before: MinipassionMini - Mini History

Interesting.

[CooperS4us]

Here are some of the fiberglass bodied MiniCords: (These have Colombian plates)



MiniCord Cabrio:



MiniCord assembly plant in Facorca, venezuela:



MiniCord dealership in Medellin, Colombia (Circa 1994)



MiniCords at the rally races in Colombia:

[85NIXMIN]

That's rather interesting.. I guess it would cut down on waiting times for new cars hopefully and maybe it might bring down the price.. hehe

[spur]

I have not been on here for a while but you had me believing for 20 seconds.

[Sowellman]

This has been a topic of discussion over at Motoringfile for a while. It seems to fit with what Gabe reported following the early February press briefing on the U.S. release of the R56.

Gabe spoke with Jim McDowell, the vice president of Mini USA, who said Mini plans a new production model for each of the next four or five years.

If true, that might point to the need for increased production and outside Oxford. Dr. Streichmeister seemed to echo McDowell's comments that while it's important for Minis to be produced in England, it shouldn't be a limiting factor. McDowell also talked about how it's also important that BMWs be produced in Germany but that the company has other factories around the world.

[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.....