BMW invests further in the UK with Hams Hall developing new engines on brand new production lines.

A large investment programme to develop the BMW Hams Hall engine plant near Birmingham is complete. The production of new three and four-cylinder engines is already being ramped up on brand-new production lines, and over one million components will be machined at the plant for the first time this year as supply extends to other plants in the Group.

The investment project, part of £750 million that has been spent across BMW Group’s UK manufacturing sites, has ensured the Hams Hall site remains a state-of-the-art facility, capable of producing the next generation of engines and securing a long-term future for the plant.

Engines, as well as machined components manufactured at BMW Plant Hams Hall contribute to a range of cars across BMW Group’s product portfolio. This includes MINI – the new Clubman model goes on sale in just a few weeks’ time, as well as the new BMW 7 Series, also launched this month.

Plant Director, Markus Fallboehmer says: “The transformation in our plant has been huge. Over the last few years we have completely re-developed our two main production areas and installed over 600 brand-new pieces of equipment and machinery. While a high level of technology and automation ensures our plant remains a state-of-the-art facility, the ergonomics of the workstations where we have more manual input have been carefully thought through and adjusted to suit each individual member of the team.

“A large investment has also been made in our workforce via a number of training programmes and opportunities for people to upskill and take on new job roles. We have changed the make-up of our workforce as well with over 100 people securing BMW contracts, some of whom were previously working for us on a temporary basis. Looking further ahead to the future, we have trebled the number of apprentices training with us to ensure we have a strong, skilled workforce for many years to come.”

Development of the site is another piece of the jigsaw in BMW Group’s global strategy for engine production. The Hams Hall facility is now operating alongside other plants in Germany and Austria, all producing the same new family of next generation engines.

“Our new engine family of highly efficient three, four and six-cylinder engines have a standard design, a high number of similar parts and a uniform process for manufacture,” explains Ilka Horstmeier, who heads up BMW Group’s global production network for engines and electrified powertrain. “This gives us a large amount of flexibility and means we can optimise production between each of our manufacturing locations and respond quickly to changes in customer demand or market developments. The investment in Hams Hall has enabled the plant to grow and play an ever-increasingly important role in the production of these latest engines.”

Production of a small number of new engines was first introduced at Hams Hall last year. Three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo technology 1.5-litre petrol engines are hand-built exclusively at Hams Hall on a special production line for the BMW i8, the first purpose-built, plug-in hybrid sports car. This engine has already contributed to a series of award-wins for the revolutionary vehicle as well as two class and an overall win at the International Engine of the Year awards.

Overall, the new Efficient Dynamics high-tech engine family includes petrol and diesel engines, all employing TwinPower Turbo technology and ranging from 1.5 to 3.0 litres. With different power ratings, the engines can be adapted to a variety of vehicle concepts. Commonality across the engines makes it possible to be extremely flexible in achieving significant efficiences at high production volumes, as well as being able to produce additional special versions of the engines at relatively small volumes across the network of engine plants.

To get a glimpse inside the Hams Hall engine plant, tune in to the new BBC2 series ‘Building Cars Live’, presented by James May, Kate Humble and Ant Anstead. The Hams Hall plant is one of the key suppliers to MINI production at the Oxford-based vehicle manufacturing plant that will feature in the programme this autumn.

US SALES SEPTEMBER - BMW/MINI - steady increases, month over month 250,000 YTD sales.

• BMW brand up 4.0 percent, September record
• MINI brand sales up 4.6 percent
• BMW Motorcycle sales increase 25.7 percent, September record

Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 4.0 percent in September for a total of 26,608 compared to 25,587 vehicles sold in September, 2014. Year-to-date, BMW brand sales are 249,956 vehicles, a 5.6 percent increase from the same period last year.

“There’s no doubt about the strength of the U.S. economy and that people continue to buy new cars as evidenced by the BMW record sales result in September,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. 

“Going into the all-important fourth quarter, the all-new BMW 7 Series and X1 go on sale this month and our expanded production capacity here in the U.S. means greater availability of the very popular BMW Sports Activity Vehicles, especially the X3 and the X5.”  

In September, notable vehicle sales included the BMW 3 Series which increased 10.6 percent to 9,145 vehicles, the BMW X3 which increased 67.8 percent to 3,033 vehicles and the BMW 5 Series which increased from 1,407 to 4,059 vehicles, compared to September a year ago.

BMW Group Sales

In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported September sales of 31,022 vehicles, an increase of 4.1 percent from the 29,806 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are 294,930 vehicles, a 6.9 percent increase from the same period last year.

MINI Brand Sales

For September, MINI USA reports 4,414 automobiles sold, an increase of 4.6 percent from the 4,219 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA sales are 44,974 vehicles, a 14.8 percent increase from the same period last year.

Table 1: New Vehicle Sales BMW of North America, LLC , September 2015

	Sept. 2015	Sept. 2014	%	YTD Sept. 2015	YTD Sept. 2014	%
BMW brand	26,608	25,587	4.0	249,956	236,591	5.6
BMW passenger cars	20,242	18,981	6.6	179,075	172,331	3.9
BMW light trucks	6,366	6,606	-3.6	70,881	64,260	10.3
MINI brand	4,414	4,219	4.6	44,974	39,188	14.8
TOTAL Group	31,022	29,806	4.1	294,930	275,779	6.9

MINI is changing its marketing position to push teh brand more upmarket, and people will fall for it !

Mini is changing its marketing and will pitch to the "executive personality" as products move upmarket, its North American chief says.

"We have to evolve and see something new," which will include lighter colors and a different tone when the redesigned Clubman goes on sale in early January, said David Duncan, vice president of Mini of the Americas.

Mini launched U.S. sales in 2002 after BMW AG's purchase of the British minicar brand.

"If I am an uninformed consumer, I would think it is the same" as it was in 2002, Duncan said.

Mini was positioned as a sporty, small-car brand with an irreverent attitude and quirky features -- such as door and window locks in the center console and a big speedometer in the center dashboard instead of behind the steering wheel.

Mini was dinged repeatedly for some of those features and responded, Duncan said. With the redesign of the Cooper Hardtop and the launch of the Hardtop 4 Door, Mini moved the door/window controls to the windows, the speedometer to the left and the seat recliner from the front of the seat to the side. The interior was improved.

The redesigned Clubman wagon due in January will go even further, with an exclusive interior and more premium features. With a 12-inch increase in length, the Clubman will be Mini's first compact and compete with vehicles such as the Volkswagen Golf -- and even the Mercedes-Benz CLA and Audi A3, Duncan said.

"It marks a turning point," he said. "I do see us being cross-shopped across a luxury brand, in that we are actually a good value."

A new look

Marketing will have to reflect that upward positioning.

"The look will change. We have used nighttime and images against a black background," Duncan said. "You will see it in a more natural environment and see daytime ads."

Mini will emphasize premium touches and craftsmanship but will not entirely abandon fanciful ads.

"That part should still be told, but it may depend on the character of the car," Duncan said.

Along with the Cooper Hardtop and the Countryman, the Clubman will be among the four Mini "hero cars," volume models based on a BMW Group platform using BMW engines and components. The fourth hasn't been revealed but could be a sports car/roadster that takes styling cues from the sexy Superleggera concept.

'Not boring'

Mini's character hasn't changed in an important way -- the cars are still designed with sporty handling.

"The driving dynamics of the cars are not boring," Duncan said. "There are already a lot of people that are attracted to Mini, but it doesn't fit their lifestyle and is seen as too small."

Duncan says he is often asked how big a Mini can be. He wouldn't disclose whether the Countryman crossover will grow significantly when redesigned. The replacement Countryman is expected in late 2016.

Mini's appeal from its launch in 1959 was maximizing space in a small car.

"As long as we stay true to what we were in the beginning," Duncan said, "we do not need to be limited by size."

Duncan also expects Mini's appeal to grow because of the extensive use of BMW components in redesigned models. Mini won't tout this in marketing, but "it helps in the marketplace," Duncan said. "I would not dissuade a dealer to do that."

Duncan said Mini has recovered from last year's slump -- U.S. sales in 2014 fell 16 percent from a year earlier -- and he expects 2015 U.S. sales of about 66,500 cars.

Mini's sales through July rose 18 percent to 35,451 vehicles.

Diana T. Kurylko

REPORT HERE

MINI to attend the Moving Motor Show at Goodwood for the first time with the John Cooper Works.

The new MINI John Cooper Works is set to wow visitors to this year’s Goodwood Moving Motor Show this month, as MINI joins the event for the very first time.

Sporting the most powerful engine ever for a road-going MINI, show-goers will be able to experience the 231bhp John Cooper Works on the famous Goodwood Hillclimb route accompanied by a professional racing instructor.

In all, five John Cooper Works models will be in action on the famous Hillclimb course, a natural environment for the motor sport-inspired MINI to cater for the huge expected crowds at the show presented by the AA in association with The Telegraph.

The Moving Motor Show – Thursday 25^th June – represents the first chance for UK drivers  to get behind the wheel of the powerful new MINI, which packs a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo engine as well as suspension, brake, aerodynamic and interior upgrades.

For those looking for an adrenalin rush within the confines of the MINI stand, a specially- designed simulator is being created to offer visitors a virtual taste of the hill climb route.

The latest incarnation of the MINI John Cooper Works delivers 10 per cent more power and 23 per cent more torque, enabling it to reach 62 mph in just 6.3 seconds when equipped with the standard six-speed manual gearbox or 6.1 seconds with the optional six-speed Steptronic sports ‘box.

MINI will also be out in force at the Goodwood Festival of Speed following the Moving Motor Show which runs until 28^th June. MINI brand ambassador and contender for the Dakar Rally 2016 title – Harry Hunt – will be showcasing his talents on the Hillclimb across the festival weekend in his bespoke Rally Dakar MINI All4 Racing. Harry will be located on the MINI stand across the weekend and is available for interviews.*

Anyone interested in driving the most powerful MINI ever should visit the manufacturer’s stand in the Moving Motor Show pavillion.

GENEVA - MINI, well, just a special Countryman and JCW Hatch, nothing ALL new this year.

The British premium brand MINI is presented at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show with new diversity in its model program and fresh accents for individual style and extreme driving fun. The new models on show further extend the breadth of the MINI experience, characterised by strikingly expressive design, agile handling and premium quality. Seeing its world premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, the new MINI Countryman Park Lane embodies the strengths of the five-seater all-rounder more impressively than ever with its four doors, large tailgate and optional all-wheel drive system ALL4. 

The edition model's exclusive design and equipment features highlight the variable space concept of the MINI Countryman as well as its athletic flair on all types of terrain. Another new member of the MINI family enriches everyday traffic with a dash of irresistible driving fun: the new MINI John Cooper Works unleashes pure passion for performance – not least thanks to 55 years of motor racing experience and an engine which is more powerful than any ever used in one of the brand's serial production models.

The MINI John Cooper Works is the latest and fastest new model since the original in the small car premium segment saw a change of generation. Its body concept is based on the new MINI 3 door, which is now taking the roads of the world by storm itself with its increased athletic flair and efficiency, optimised ride comfort, increased interior space and innovative equipment features. Likewise presented to visitors at the Geneva Motor Show from March 5th - 15th 2015, the new MINI 5 door meets the need for additional space and convenient entry to the rear.

Versatile, individual, exclusive: the new MINI Countryman Park Lane.

MINI has entered a new phase of its success story by venturing into the premium compact segment. The MINI Countryman combines the brand's distinctive style with a generous and versatile interior. The characteristic MINI agility in terms of drive response is experienced in a new way due to the raised seating position and gains a fascinating added dimension in conjunction with the optional all-wheel drive system ALL4. The new MINI Countryman Park Lane epitomises the versatile qualities of this all-round talent more attractively and exclusively than ever before.

Its high-quality individual style is underscored by a design and colour concept developed especially for the edition model. The body finish in Earl Grey metallic is combined with the entirely new colour variant Oak Red for the roof and exterior mirror caps as well sport stripes in the same colour as an optional extra. The MINI Countryman Park Lane boldly accentuates its classic athletic character with 18-inch light alloy wheels in Turbo Fan Dark Grey design and the MINI ALL4 Exterior visual package including silver body elements for the front and rear apron as well as the side sills. 

Emblems on the side scuttles and cockpit surface bear the inscription "Park Lane" as do the entry sills. The interior surfaces in Cross Stripe Grey were likewise designed exclusively for the MINI Countryman Park Lane. These go together with the inlay colour Carbon Black for the door trim and centre console to create a sports-style premium ambience in the interior.

The MINI Countryman Park Lane is optionally available with the all-wheel drive system ALL4 in all model variants. The edition model can also be combined with a particularly high-end equipment package. As the MINI Countryman Park Lane Chili, the all-rounder's additional features include LED fog lamps, sports seats in fabric/leather, automatic air conditioning, the Sport Button, a rain sensor with automatic driving light control, sports leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons and a storage and lighting package.

Top athlete in the small car segment: the new MINI John Cooper Works.

Once again, the John Cooper Works logo on a MINI is an unmistakable sign of extreme driving fun in everyday traffic. The latest version of the MINI John Cooper Works (combined fuel consumption: 6.7 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions: 155 g/km) merges intense racing passion with the optimised qualities of the latest MINI generation. Its completely new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine with MINI TwinPower Turbo Technology mobilises a peak output of 170 kW/231 hp, making it the most powerful engine ever to be installed in one of the brand's serial production models.

Developed with motor racing expertise and featuring technological details in the suspension, body and cockpit that are exactly harmonised with the high level of performance, the engine's exceptional spirit can be precisely controlled for enormous driving fun. The overall package for extreme performance includes a sports suspension with Brembo sports brake system, exclusive John Cooper Works light alloy wheels, the John Cooper Works aerodynamics kit, particularly large air inlets and a model-specific interior in sports-car style.

The new MINI John Cooper Works sprints in 6.3 seconds from standing to 100 km/h. With the 6-speed Steptronic transmission available as an alternative to the 6-speed manual transmission, this sprint takes just 6.1 seconds. What is more, in conjunction with the automatic transmission the fuel consumption of the new MINI John Cooper Works according to the EU test cycle is reduced to 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres (CO₂emissions: 133 g/km).

UK RECALL #9 - MINI - Possible failure of the seat backrest.

Vehicle Details
Reference :	R/2014/155
Manufacturer Ref :	0052600100
Make:	BMW
Model :	Mini
Launch Date :	17/11/2014
Numbers Involved :	2836
Build Start Date :	01/08/2014
Build End Date :	30/09/2014

Recall Details
Concern :	FRONT SEAT BACKREST MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE
Description :	The back-rest adjustment mechanism on both front seats may be incorrectly set and display a large amount of play. This can cause the back rest to wobble and, in the event of an accident, the back rest may inadvertently fold backwards.
Remedial Action :	On affected vehicles adjust back rests to manufacturer's specifications.
Vehicle Id :	WMWXM520102A61200 to WMWXM920102A27202 WMWXN120802A24487 to WMWXN92000T737065

Other Vehicles Affected (Click the vehicle to perform an extended search)

BMW - MINI BMW - MINI