Two millionth MINI

Prime Minister David Cameron welcomes two millionth MINI milestone

Today, 10 years after the start of production, the two millionth MINI was driven off the production line at Plant Oxford by Prime Minister David Cameron. Of the two million, more than 1.5 million MINIs have been exported to customers in more than 90 countries around the world from Australia to Venezuela.

Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW AG board member responsible for production, was present to celebrate this latest major milestone for Plant Oxford and the continuing success of the MINI brand. He said: “Production of the two millionth MINI comes on the back of strong demand worldwide.  Our recent announcement of an additional £500 million investment in our UK MINI production facilities demonstrates the important role that Oxford plays in our global production network. The most essential factors in the success of MINI are the skills, passion and dedication of our associates.”

During the visit, Mr Arndt updated the Prime Minister on preparations at the plant to produce the next generation MINI including new production facilities currently under construction. This latest investment decision helps to ensure the long term future of the Oxford plant and jobs at its pressings plant in Swindon and its engine plant at Hams Hall near Birmingham. It also takes the company’s total investment across all its UK operations to more than £1.5 billion since 2000. 

 Prime Minister David Cameron said: “It’s a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line today. The 2 millionth MINI to be made here in Oxford is a fantastic symbol of the UK’s strength in the global automotive industry and a great British manufacturing success story.

“BMW’s continued investment in its UK operations, together with its export success - selling to over 90 countries worldwide - is contributing to a real renaissance for the UK car industry and a brilliant example of the sustainable, balanced growth we are determined to achieve. MINI is not just a symbol of our industrial past, but also the great industrial future we want to build.”  ‪

 The two millionth MINI is a MINI Convertible specially painted in White Silver metallic with a blue denim roof.  The specification boasts a selection of bespoke interior and exterior options including special alloy wheels, a distinctive leather steering wheel and lounge leather upholstery.  This historic car is the prize on offer in a global Facebook campaign called ‘Two Million MINIs – Two Million Faces’ which involves photographs of the faces of two million MINI fans being collected and built to create a dedicated Facebook ‘wall’. The winner will be chosen at random after the campaign closes on 30 September.

Dr Juergen Hedrich, managing director for MINI Plant Oxford, said: “It’s a really great milestone for Plant Oxford and everyone who works here. Oxford has been the heart of MINI production for the last 10 years and all our associates are proud and excited to be contributing to the continuing success of this iconic brand.”

 Producing 216,302 vehicles in 2010, MINI was the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK, accounting for 17 per cent of national automotive production.  The plant currently produces four MINI models – Hatchback, Convertible, Clubman and the new MINI Coupé.  A fifth model, the Roadster, will join the line-up at the end of this year.

Since MINI went into production in 2001, developments at Plant Oxford have reflected MINI’s growing success.  In 2001 some 2,400 associates worked in single shift operations to build up to 300 cars a day. Today around 3,700 associates work five days a week on two shifts to produce as many as 900 MINIs per day. During the same period maximum production capacity at the plant has risen from 100,000 to over 200,000 units per year. In the medium term the plant has an annual capacity of 260,000 units.

Ashwell Show

Specialist Cars BMW and MINI of Stevenage were at the Ashwell Show on Monday 29th August with a display of cars. Visitors to the show stopped to look at some of the models, mainly the Z1 and MINI Countryman.

Specialist Cars BMW at the Ashwell Show

 MINI Convertible

MINI Cooper D

MINI Girls showing off their wellies - they came in handy

Paula, Becky, Sophie, Lizzie and Laura

Paula, Huseyin, Laura, Kaz and Lizzie

Sophie and Becky trying out the MINI deck chairs

 Specialist Cars BMW at the Ashwell Show

Specialist Cars MINI at the Ashwell Show

The BMW 1M Coupe turned some heads

 The BMW 3 series convertible

The BMW X6

The classic Z1 was a conversation starter, especially about the colour

The MINI Countryman

Specialist Cars MINI at the Ashwell Show

Snow Centre Offer

Specialist Cars supporting BEN

BEN is the UK’s only charity for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive and related industries, as well as their dependants. Whether it's practical, emotional or financial support that you need, Ben are there to help in whatever way they can.  They also have a range of care centers across the country to care for older people in our communities. Specialist Cars are proud to support this organisation and our members of staff have raised a fantastic £3,300 to help BEN continue their care and support to those who need it. If you would like more information on BEN or how to donate, please visit www.ben.org.uk

Win an iPad 2

Update on Emma Cattle

Update on Emma Cattle – 16th August 2011

As proud sponsors of Paralympic hopeful Emma Cattle, we want to keep you updated on her progress on her journey to winning a medal at the games next year.

At the National Championships in Sheffield at the end of July, Emma swam a lifetime best in the 400m Freestyle in a time of 5.01.21. This is just over 2 seconds quicker than the time Emma achieved recently in Berlin at the European Championships.

Emma lowered her British Record in the 50m Freestyle to 30.18 seconds. She had previously broken the record in Berlin at the Europeans which had stood for 11 years.

All finals were decided on a multi disability basis where each swimmer is awarded points depending on the proximity of their time to their individual classification World Record. In the 100m Freestyle, Emma won the bronze medal with a time of 1.06.55 which was about 0.25 seconds away from the new lifetime best she set in Berlin earlier in July.

Well done Emma on your fantastic achievement!

Why not congratulate Emma in person? On Thursday 18th and Friday 19th August at the Specialist Cars MINI showrooms, Emma will be joining us for our MINI Celebration weekend.

Related News: 

• MINI Celebration Weekend
• Emma picks up her brand new MINI Countryman
• Emma Cattle Wins A Silver Medal
• Introducing Emma Cattle

MINI Celebration Weekend

MINI Celebration Weekend - Emma Cattle Appearance

Come down to your local Specialist Cars MINI showroom on Thursday 18th or Friday 19th August to get the chance to meet Paralympic Swimmer Emma Cattle. Specialist Cars are proud to support Emma as she trains hard with the hope of qualifying for ParalympicsGB next year.

Come and meet Emma at Specialist Cars MINI in Luton from 9am and Tring from 2:30pm on Thursday 18th August. Stevenage from 9am – Midday on Friday 19th August, where she will be available to sign autographs, take photographs and answer questions about her experiences.

If you have any questions you’d like to ask Emma, post on our wall and we’ll ask her for you. All answers will be posted back on our wall after the event.

Keep updated with news from Specialist Cars and Emma’s progress visiting our news blog on http://news.specialistcarsmini.co.uk/ or follow Specialist Cars Ltd on Facebook and Twitter.

Related News: 

•  Emma picks up her brand new MINI Countryman
•  Emma Cattle Wins A Silver Medal
•  Introducing Emma Cattle

Emma Cattle Sponsored by Specialist Cars

Emma Cattle Sponsored by Specialist Cars

Specialist Cars are very proud to sponsor talent young Paralympic swimmer Emma Cattle in her journey to win a medal at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

On Monday 8th August, Emma picked up her brand new MINI Countryman, sponsored by Specialist Cars. “I’m so excited to drive it now, I love the black bonnet stripes and I’m sure it’s going to attract a lot of attention when I turn up to training tonight!” said Emma.

For more updates on Emma’s training and performance, follow her on our news blog, Facebook or Twitter.

One Year To Go! London 2012 Olympics

With less than a year to go to until the London 2012 games, now is the perfect time to test drive a MINI to be in with a chance to win tickets! Please click here for more information but also keep checking back for updates on our regional hopefuls Laura Trott and Emma Cattle and other London 2012 related news!

Out on the town.

NEW MINI SOHO SPECIAL EDITION IS OUT ON THE TOWN

This summer MINI Hatch and MINI Convertible models are available in a special, limited edition called MINI Soho. Earlier this year the company announced that all MINI Special Editions will be named after London boroughs, districts, streets and landmarks.

The Soho name has been introduced to MINI Hatch and Convertible models for a limited time following the success of the popular MINI Soho Clubman edition last year. The MINI Soho edition will be available in both Cooper and Cooper D models from July until March 2012. Thanks to the MINI Cooper D Hatch’s frugal credentials it is exempt from London Congestion charging with CO2 of just 99g/km and a whopping 74.3mpg* fuel consumption .

MINI Soho editions have exclusive ‘White Silver’ metallic paint which is not available on any other current MINI Hatch or Convertible model, and to compliment the striking paintwork the Soho is finished with 17" Black Star Bullet alloy wheels, Bi-Xenon headlights with black interior reflectors and white indicators.

Inside the cabin the Soho has a sporty feel with Anthracite headlining, a 3-Spoke sport leather steering wheel and ‘Piano Black’ interior surfaces.

Pricing

Model	OTR Price
MINI Cooper Soho Hatch	£16,765
MINI Cooper D Soho Hatch	£18,045
MINI Cooper Soho Convertible	£19,060
MINI Cooper D Soho Convertible	£20,135

*On combined cycle