BMW’s redesigned Mini, already attracting some flak on the internet for looking too much like its predecessor, has a lot more UK-sourced parts than its second generation predecessor.
“We’re sourcing 50% more parts from UK suppliers than with the current generation Mini,” BMW group production head Harald Krueger said. “It’s a success story for UK suppliers.”
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“Our total investment of GBP750m in Oxford [assembly], Swindon [pressings] and Hams Hall [engines] between 2012 and 2015 underscores the importance of the Mini production triangle within our global production network.”
New architecture gives a more rigid yet lighter body and allows the use of more advanced materials and more advanced technology like a head-up display previously confined to high-end BMW models.
The Mini will be the first BMW product to use new Hams Hall built three cylinder diesel and petrol engines. These are up to 27% more fuel efficient yet offer 10% more power than the engines they replace.
The flexible architecture allows for vehicles of between 3.9m and 4.5m to be built, so both Mini and a new line of BMW models – the brand’s first front drivers – will be built on it.
“We could produce between eight and 10 different Minis on this architecture and its always good to have more ideas than we have models,” said Krueger.
