This time last week we were still celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of MINI.  Whilst we remember the past, there is no better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than to be able to look positivly to the future.

Dr.Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG has announced that the new MINI coupe (the Broadspeed) is to be built at what has always been the MINI’s historic home; Cowley (now MINI Plant Oxford).  Reithofer confirmed the production plan during his two-day visit to BMW Group UK operations earlier this week.

What this means in practice is that at least a thousand new jobs will be created at at Plant Oxford. The plant itself will be at it’s most productive (in terms of vehicles rolling off the production line) for more than twenty years.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “The production of the new MINI model is very good news for Oxford, and for the UK car industry. It is a demonstration of MINI’s long term commitment to the UK as it celebrates its 50th birthday this year. British drivers have had a long love affair with the MINI and I’m sure that this will continue for many years to come.”

Invaluable MINI website theSwitchback has more on this story here.