The production of the new Mini Coupe Concept and Crossover models will create up to 1,000 jobs at BMW’s plant in Oxfordshire.
The first concept car will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show between 17-27 September and will be produced at the company’s factory in Cowley, near Oxford.
The Cowley plant currently employs around 4,000 workers, building three versions of the Mini – the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman.
Earlier this year in February, 850 jobs were cut at the site, but a surge in global demand for small cars, along with the UK’s scrappage scheme, has resulted in many of the redundant workers being re-employed in addition to the extra 1,000 posts that are expected to be announced.
BMW’s Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer confirmed the plans to the Financial Times.
“I am pleased to announce the Mini Coupe concept car and another new mini model will both be built at Oxford,” he told the newspaper on Thursday 3 September.
The first classic Mini was presented to the public on 26 August 1959. Exactly fifty years on and nearly a decade into the life of new Mini, images of the new Mini Coupe Concept were released in late August.
It is designed to be the most dynamic and agile Mini ever built – a two-seater, with low roof line, compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and lightweight construction – and will receive the 211hp, 1.6-litre twin scroll turbocharged power unit found in the current John Cooper Works models.
The first concept car will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show between 17-27 September and will be produced at the company’s factory in Cowley, near Oxford.
The Cowley plant currently employs around 4,000 workers, building three versions of the Mini – the Hatch, Convertible and Clubman.
Earlier this year in February, 850 jobs were cut at the site, but a surge in global demand for small cars, along with the UK’s scrappage scheme, has resulted in many of the redundant workers being re-employed in addition to the extra 1,000 posts that are expected to be announced.
BMW’s Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer confirmed the plans to the Financial Times.
“I am pleased to announce the Mini Coupe concept car and another new mini model will both be built at Oxford,” he told the newspaper on Thursday 3 September.
The first classic Mini was presented to the public on 26 August 1959. Exactly fifty years on and nearly a decade into the life of new Mini, images of the new Mini Coupe Concept were released in late August.
It is designed to be the most dynamic and agile Mini ever built – a two-seater, with low roof line, compact dimensions, perfect axle load distribution and lightweight construction – and will receive the 211hp, 1.6-litre twin scroll turbocharged power unit found in the current John Cooper Works models.
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