The Netherlands – Production in Born will begin in summer 2014, following on from the manufacturing launch at Oxford last November of the Mini Hatch. According to Harald Krüger, BMW board member Production, the Mini brand is experiencing “substantial growth” which necessitates additional, external capacity.
“Splitting production of the new Mini Hatch between Oxford and Born will give our global production network additional leeway,” commented Klaus Draeger, BMW board member Purchasing and Supplier Network.
Krüger added that the move would provide “greater flexibility for other models” and emphasised that the UK would “remain the heart of Mini production”.
At VDL Nedcar, a 1,500-strong workforce will be responsible for building the new Mini, with the production volume expected to reach five digits this year.