MINI Celebrates as it has hit the three million production mark at Plant Oxford.

• MINI Plant Oxford has built three million MINIs since 2001
• Three millionth car is a MINI John Cooper Works Clubman
• 80 per cent of Oxford MINIs built for export around the world
• Milestone comes in BMW’s Centenary year and 15th year of MINI production

Plant Oxford has celebrated the three millionth MINI to roll off the assembly line since production began back in 2001.

The three millionth Oxford-built MINI is a John Cooper Works Clubman - the first model to combine the latest John Cooper Works performance enhancements and a new ALL4 all-wheel drive system.

From around 300 cars a day in 2001 to around 1,000 built to order cars today, the 4,500 strong workforce at Oxford produce one new MINI almost every minute. Around 80 per cent of MINIs built here are exported to more than 110 markets across the world.

On Thursday, 1 December, the plant was visited by Oliver Zipse, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Production, who joined the team in Oxford to celebrate this major UK manufacturing milestone.

Oliver Zipse said: “It’s great to be back in Oxford to mark this fantastic MINI production milestone. Since we began building MINIs back in 2001 the car has proved to be hugely popular with customers right around the world. The passion and commitment that everyone here at the plant has for building a high-quality product is central to that success. The three millionth Oxford-built MINI is a remarkable achievement. Congratulations to everyone who has played their part in making this celebration possible.”

Frank Bachmann, Managing Director of Plant Oxford, said: “Hitting this milestone is a fantastic achievement for everyone on the team here at Oxford. Building the volume of high-quality cars that we have over the past 15 years is something everyone working here can be very proud of.”

Sales of MINI, both in the UK and internationally, have gone from strength to strength over the last 15 years. In its first year nearly 40,000 MINIs were sold worldwide. By 2015 this number had risen to nearly 340,000.

Three UK plants have a part to play in its production - Hams Hall near Birmingham makes engines, Swindon produces body pressings and sub-assemblies for MINI, and this all comes together at Oxford with body shell production, paint and final assembly. Together these plants have helped to generate and sustain employment for thousands of people directly and indirectly though the wider supply chain and retailers.

Since 2000 £1.75 billion has been invested by BMW Group at the three plants and at Oxford this has included a state-of-the-art paintshop, a high-technology body building facility, a new final assembly area, a new logistics centre, Quality and Engineering Centre and the MINIcademy, where the plant’s apprentices are trained.

Oxford, the heart and home of MINI production, has a rich motor manufacturing history. It has been building cars since 1913 when the great designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist William Morris (later Lord Nuffield), produced its first car, a “Bullnose” Morris, near today’s present state-of-the-art MINI production facility.

The classic Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis and launched in 1959, revolutionised the automotive world and was produced at Oxford until 1968 with a peak output of 94,889 cars during 1966-7.

Models built at Oxford today include three and five door MINI Hatch, the MINI Clubman, including the Plant’s first all-wheel drive ALL4 model – and the high-performance MINI John Cooper Works Hatch.

Plant Oxford has celebrates 15 years since the first new MINIs rolled off the production line on 26 April, 2001.

Plant Oxford has celebrated 15 years since the first new MINIs rolled off the production line on 26 April, 2001. The BMW Group, which is marking its centenary year in 2016, acquired the plant in 1994 and relaunched the brand in 2001 with the debut of the new MINI Hatch.

Since then more than 2.5 million MINIs have been produced in Oxford, with the three million milestone expected to be hit later this year. 80 per cent of the cars made here are exported to more than 110 countries around the world.

The 2001 MINI launch was the reinvention of a British motoring icon, which generated headlines around the world. As well as making the news, the car was subsequently recognised with several industry awards after it went on sale. This included being voted ‘Car of the Year’ in 2001 by leading UK weekly car magazine, Auto Express. Impressed by the car’s driving abilities, quality levels and safety features, the magazine praised the fact that the classic Mini’s DNA was “unmistakable” in the new car.

Sales of MINI, both in the UK and internationally, have gone from strength to strength over the last 15 years. In its first year nearly 40,000 MINIs were sold worldwide. By 2015 this number had risen to nearly 340,000, with more than 63,000 sold to customers in the UK – the highest since the brand’s relaunch.

Frank Bachmann, Managing Director of MINI Plant Oxford, said: “MINI is an iconic British brand that has made a remarkable journey over the past 15 years. In that time we’ve more than doubled our capacity and gone from producing just one model to an entire range of MINIs that have proved hugely popular with customers around the world. Making 1,000 high-quality cars to individual order each day is a huge challenge but we succeed in doing so because of the passion and expertise of our workforce. Today, we celebrate what’s been achieved so far and look forward to an even brighter future here in Oxford - the heart of MINI production.”

The plant’s automotive history dates back to 1913 when the great designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist William Morris (later Lord Nuffield), produced its first car, a “Bullnose” Morris, near today’s present state-of-the-art MINI production facility. The classic Mini was produced at Oxford from 1959 until 1968 with a peak output of 94,889 cars during 1966/67.

Today, more than 4,500 people are employed at the site in Cowley, which manufactures around 1,000 cars a day, including three and five door MINIs, the MINI Clubman and its first all-wheel drive All4 model – and the high-performance MINI John Cooper Works.

Three UK plants have had a part to play in MINI production - Hams Hall near Birmingham makes engines, Swindon produces body pressings and sub-assemblies for MINI, and this all comes together at Oxford with body shell production, paint and final assembly. Together these plants have helped to generate and sustain employment for thousands of people directly and indirectly though the wider supply chain and retailers.

Between 2012 and 2015 BMW Group invested £750 million at the plants, taking investment in UK production to £1.75 billion since 2000. At Oxford this has included a state-of-the-art paintshop, a high-technology body building facility, a new final assembly area, a new logistics centre, Quality and Engineering Centre and the MINIcademy, where the plant’s apprentices are trained.

Joining Technician Chris Wherritt is one of 22 current plant associates who began their careers as apprentices in 2001.

Chris said: “Starting my apprenticeship straight from school was exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. After all, 2001 was a big year for the plant — I knew it would be a big change but I wasn’t aware at the time just how successful the new MINI was going to be. I already had a position secured for after my apprenticeship when the 2001 MINI rolled off the production line, and the launch was all over the news — that’s when I knew both the MINI and I had a bright future ahead of us.”

Helen Evans, currently in her first year as an engineering apprentice, said: “I’ve always been fascinated by cars and so seeing MINI’s transformation while still paying homage to the original has been really interesting. It’s been a great experience working at the plant so far and I’m really excited to see how my career with MINI will evolve in the future.”

The first MINIs – which were registered with ‘Y’ prefixed number plates – are now considered by many enthusiasts and fans of the brand to be modern classics.

MINI enthusiast Tanya Field, whose husband Jason works at the plant in IT, is working to set up a new club – Y REGister – to bring together owners of MINIs made in Oxford in 2001.

Tanya said: “Today is a wonderful milestone for MINI Plant Oxford. The first MINIs are 15 years old and are now becoming modern classics and are increasingly collectable. The creation of the Y REGister shows the growing interest in these MINIs and the heritage of the modern MINI.  As someone who’s passionate about the plant’s heritage, this is something that’s really important to me.”

WORLDWIDE SALES BMW Group grows in the main brands but Rolls Royce has seen significant declines.

• BMW delivers over 200,000 vehicles for first time in single month
• MINI achieves all-time record monthly sales
• BMW Group sales grow 3.5% in March to total 240,659
• Year-to-date sales total 557,605, up 5.9%
• First three months’ sales in Europe up 9.5%; Asia +10.0%
• BMW Motorrad sales achieve new monthly record

March 2016 saw the BMW Group sell more vehicles than in any other single month in the company’s 100 year history. A total of 240,659 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce vehicles were handed over to customers around the world, an increase of 3.5% on the same month last year. In the first three months of the year, sales increased 5.9%, totalling 557,605 vehicles.

“March 2016 has been the best single month ever for BMW Group sales and I’m delighted to see that our innovative product range is enabling us to achieve ongoing, sustainable and profitable growth,” said Dr Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for sales and marketing BMW. 

“Globally, I am confident that we will see this positive trend continue through the year,” he added.

For the first time ever, sales of BMW brand vehicles topped the 200,000 mark in a single month. A total of 201,352 BMWs were handed over to customers in March, an increase of 2.9% on the very high sales of the same month last year. 

The brand also achieved record sales for the first three months of the year, with a total of 478,743 vehicles delivered (+6.0%). 

The growth in sales is spread throughout the brand’s model range. For example, in the first three months of the year, sales of the BMW 2 Series grew 56.3% compared with the same period last year, totalling 43,657 units. 

Sales of the BMW X1 are up 67.7% on the first quarter of last year, with total sales of 51,002 units. The X3 achieved a sales increase of 27.2% (38,719 units) while sales of the X6 rose 15.1% (11,043 units). 

The brand’s flagship model, the new BMW 7 Series, was handed over to a total of 10,588 customers in the first three months of 2016, an increase of 20.3% on the same period last year.

A total of 5,128 BMW i electric vehicles have been delivered to customers worldwide in the year-to-date, with 2,255 of those delivered in March.

MINI sales were higher in March 2016 than in any previous single month in the brand’s history. A total of 39,061 units were delivered to customers worldwide, an increase of 6.6% compared with the same month last year. 

In the first quarter of 2016, MINI sales also achieved a new record high with 78,311 units delivered, an increase of 5.4% on last year. 

“Customers around the world are responding to the attractive new models we have in our line-up, as is proven by our record sales,” said Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW AG Management Board member responsible for MINI, BMW Motorrad and Rolls-Royce. 

“The recently launched MINI Clubman in particular is attracting new customers, with a total of over 12,000 sold so far this year,” he added.

Following the second highest annual sales record in the brand’s 112-year history in 2015, during the first quarter of 2016 Rolls-Royce Motor Cars focused on the substantial preparations for the start of production of the new Dawn Drophead Coupé. 

First customer deliveries of Dawn will take place in the second quarter, with pre-orders breaking all previous records. During the first three months of the year, 551 Rolls-Royce motor cars were delivered to customers, a decrease of 29.4% compared with the same period last year. 

The high demand for Dawn has necessitated a rebalancing of production assets within Rolls-Royce's Goodwood manufacturing plant, impacting on Q1 production capacity. Rolls-Royce continues to strive for long-term sustainable growth.

BMW and MINI saw their positive sales trend in Europe continue, with deliveries in the first three months totalling 256,973 units, an increase of 9.5% compared with the first quarter of last year. Many markets in the region achieved sales growth, with double-digit increases recorded in several markets including the UK (59,121 / +10.6%), France (20,811 / +10.7%) and Spain (13,839 / +22.7%).

Deliveries of BMW and MINI vehicles in Asia increased by 10.0% compared with the first quarter of last year, with a total of 182,982 units delivered to customers in the region. In Mainland China, deliveries rose 10.5% (127,105), sales in South Korea increased 15.0% (14,465) and deliveries in Japan climbed 8.9% (18,668).

In the Americas, year-to-date sales of BMW and MINI vehicles are down 8.6%, with a total of 100,081 units delivered to customers. While sales totalling 81,452 in the USA were 10.8% down on the same period last year, deliveries in Canada rose 10.9% (8,751).

March was also an all-time record month for BMW Motorrad, with deliveries up 3.5% (16,465). Around the world, a total of 33,788 BMW motorcycles and maxi-scooters have been delivered to customers so far in 2016 (+7.7%).

BMW Group sales in / ytd March 2016 at a glance

	In March 2016	Compared with previous year	YTD 03/2016	Compared with previous year
BMW Group Automobiles	240,659	+3.5%	557,605	+5.9%
BMW	201,352	+2.9%	478,743	+6.0%
MINI	39,061	+6.6%	78,311	+5.4%
Rolls-Royce	246	-25.0%	551	-29.4%
BMW Motorrad	16,465	+3.5%	33,788	+7.7%

USA SALES MARCH - Oh dear, does no one want to buy any BMW's or MINI's as both are down, a lot.

• BMW brand sales decrease 12.5 percent
• MINI brand sales decrease 18.3 percent
• BMW Motorcycle sales increase 6 percent

Sales of BMW brand vehicles decreased 12.5 percent in March for a total of 30,033 compared to 34,310 vehicles sold in March, 2015. Year-to-date, BMW brand is down 10.0 percent on sales of 70,613 compared to 78,492 sold in the first three months of 2015.

Of particular note in March, were strong increases in the sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles, in particular the BMW X1 and the BMW X3. The popular new BMW 7 Series continues its sales success, increasing by 16.1 percent over March 2015.

“It’s been a tumultuous first quarter of the year for business in the U.S. with plenty of volatility even in the premium vehicle segment,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “The desire for premium Sports Activity Vehicles continues accelerating at a strong pace in the U.S. and I’m very pleased that our SAV plant in South Carolina will make another production increase in the months ahead to help us satisfy the ever-growing demand for our X models.”

BMW Group Sales

In total, the BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported March sales of 34,795 vehicles, a decrease of 13.3 percent from the 40,139 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are down 10.8 percent on sales of 81,452 in the first three months of 2016 compared to 91,269 in the same period in 2015.

MINI Brand Sales

For March, MINI USA reported 4,762 automobiles sold, a decrease of 18.3 percent from the 5,829 sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, MINI USA reported a total of 10,839 automobiles sold, a decrease of 15.2 percent from 12,777 automobiles sold in the first three months of 2015.

Table 1: New Vehicle Sales BMW of North America, LLC, March 2016

	Mar. 2016	Mar.  2015	%	YTD Mar. 2016	YTD Mar.  2015	%
BMW brand	30,033	34,310	-12.5	70,613	78,492	-10.0
BMW passenger cars	20,616	27,195	-24.2	47,242	57,851	-18.3
BMW light trucks	9,417	7,115	32.4	23,371	20,641	13.2
MINI brand	4,762	5,829	-18.3	10,839	12,777	-15.2
TOTAL  Group BMW Motorrad Sales Sales of BMW motorcycles increased 19.6 percent in March with 1,931 motorcycles sold compared to the 1,614 sold in March 2015. The S 1000 RR was once again the best-selling model with 254 deliveries compared to 219 this time last year, helping S-Series volumes grow by 51%. With 249 sales compared to 178 this time last year, the R 1200 GS Adventure helped drive growth of 38% in boxer models.  Further growth also came from the award-winning 6-cylinder luxury touring models with 209 K-Series units delivered to customers compared to 155 in March of 2015. The new for 2016 C 650 GT Maxi-Scooter proved popular too, with 48 retails, up 14% on the figure from a year ago. Table 2: Motorcycle Sales BMW of North America, LLC, March 2016 Mar.  2016 Mar.  2015 % YTD Mar. 2016 YTD Mar. 2015 % BMW Motorcycles 1,931 1,614 19.6 3,176 3,098 2.5	34,795	40,139	-13.3	81,452	91,269	-10.8