Prime Minister drives two millionth MINI off the line
2 Sep 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has driven the two millionth MINI off the Oxford production line, 10 years after the start of production.
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.
During the visit, Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW AG board member responsible for production, updated the Prime Minister on preparations at Plant Oxford to produce the next generation MINI. The latest investment decision helps to ensure the long term future of the plant, as well as jobs at its pressings plant in Swindon and engine plant at Hams Hall. It takes the company’s total investment across all its UK operations to more than £1.5 billion since 2000.
“It’s a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line today,” said Prime Minister David Cameron. “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.”
“Production of the two millionth MINI comes on the back of strong demand worldwide,” added Mr Arndt. “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.”
Producing 216,302 vehicles in 2010, MINI was the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK, accounting for 17% of national automotive production.
In June, Mr Cameron hosted a breakfast meeting at Downing Street with the Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) to discuss the growing confidence in the UK automotive industry.
Prime Minister drives two millionth MINI off the line
2 Sep 2011
Prime Minister David Cameron has driven the two millionth MINI off the Oxford production line, 10 years after the start of production.
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.
During the visit, Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW AG board member responsible for production, updated the Prime Minister on preparations at Plant Oxford to produce the next generation MINI. The latest investment decision helps to ensure the long term future of the plant, as well as jobs at its pressings plant in Swindon and engine plant at Hams Hall. It takes the company’s total investment across all its UK operations to more than £1.5 billion since 2000.
“It’s a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line today,” said Prime Minister David Cameron. “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.”
“Production of the two millionth MINI comes on the back of strong demand worldwide,” added Mr Arndt. “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.”
Producing 216,302 vehicles in 2010, MINI was the third-largest vehicle manufacturer in the UK, accounting for 17% of national automotive production.
In June, Mr Cameron hosted a breakfast meeting at Downing Street with the Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) to discuss the growing confidence in the UK automotive industry.
ACEA rounded off its landmark visit to London with a news conference held at SMMT in London, led by Dr Dieter Zetsche, ACEA President and Chairman, Daimler AG.