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Mini confirms two new models for UK production

By Matt Brogan |

BMW has revealed plans to build two new Mini models at its plant near Oxford, central England, boosting British manufacturing and the struggling automotive sector.

One of the two new models will be the JCW powered Mini Coupe (pictured) while the other has yet to be announced.

“The production of two new Minis is very good news for Oxford, and for the UK car industry,” British Business Minister Peter Mandelson said in a statement. “It is a demonstration of BMW’s long-term commitment to the U.K.,” he added. “British drivers have had a long love affair with the Mini and I’m sure that this will continue for many years to come.”

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer told the Financial Times that the move would mean new jobs and investment at the facility – which shed about 850 agency workers in February as it cut production in the wake of a slump in sales.

Mr Reithofer declined to comment on the number of potential jobs or any timetable for production.

“It is, of course, fantastic news for Mini and for the plant,” a spokeswoman for the Oxford factory said. “It will certainly create investment. It is just far too early to say what it will do in terms of jobs … we just don’t have that detail at the moment.”

What do you think the second new Mini model will be? Leave a comment now.


 
  • Wheelnut®™

    I wonder.. Could the other model possibly be a Mini-Ute [based on the LWB Clubman] ?

    • Mitch

      That would be awesome, like a classy Suzuki mighty boy

  • PaulS

    I heard it was going to be the Roadster? But I’ve also heard something about the mini ute/suv…

  • Alex

    Well it’s not going to be a ute, why would it be? Minis main markets are Europe and America by a massive margin and we don’t use utes in Europe and they use trucks in America. Looking at the sales figures yesterday, Mini sold 160 cars for the month in Australia; not quite enough to justify a model aimed specifically at this country, is it?

    Besides, don’t we already know that it’s going to be a compact SUV? We’ve seen the spy shots. Or is this another one again? If it’s on top of an SUV, it will be a micro car, a roadster or a Focus/Golf competitor. You know, something that would actually sell. If it’s not on top of an SUV, then of course it’s an SUV.

    • Wheelnut®™

      If Mini did make a Ute I don’t think that it would be aimed specifically at Australia.. I reckon that a Mini Ute would be quite popular in the USA – where it would be known as a Pick Up] particularly those living on the West Coast in places like California etc as it would be the ideal vehicle for surfers etc.

      Who knows they may release the SUV then decide to cut the roof off of it to create a ute. I mean they created the Cabrio by cutting the roof off of a Mini Cooper

      • Alex

        OK Wheelnut, but I stand by my thinking that there won’t be much of a market (there’s only so many California surfers who also want a Mini) and we both know that it probably won’t happen anyway. Besides, I’d hate to think how many people would buy them because they think utes are fashionable. Some people think they are (believe it or not), and they just aren’t.

        It may happen one day, but there’s probably about ten model sectors that BMW want Mini to cover before they get to a ute.

  • t

    gwt rid of its baseball cap, and the coupe might look ok.

  • Carfanatic

    It’ll be an AWD five door!