Photo: MINI
Today marks the 107th anniversary of the legend, Sir Alec Issigonis, the man that designed the original Mini, back in the 1950s. This day also marks a new page in the history of the British company, one that has the words “2014 MINI Cooper” written on the first line.
In a special event, held at the Oxford Plant, in the UK, MINI officials, joined by high-ranking politicians, made the introductions. The world got to meet the new model, that will also be unveiled at the 2013 LA Auto Show and the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show in a matter of hours.
With a GBP750 million investment made by the BMW group in the UK, meant to completely change the assembly lines of the 3 plants MINI has in the UK, expectations are high from this model. For example, the Oxford plant now has a body shop made out of 1,000 robots and uses new technologies at the steel body pressings operation in Swindon.
Even the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, was present at the launch, praising the importance the British brand plays in the country’s economy.
"I was lucky enough to get an early preview of the new Mini - a classic British icon - during a visit to the factory in Oxford last month. This £750 million investment is great news for both the local and wider economy, along with the 5,500 workers whose jobs are safeguarded by this launch,” he said.
"Car manufacturing is a vital engine for growth. Production is back up to pre-recession levels and a car rolls off the line every 20 seconds in the UK. But we're not complacent. Our industrial strategy is a key part of the Government's economic plan and we’re helping to drive the car industry further and faster with over £4bn of investment, “ Cameron added.
With a GBP750 million investment made by the BMW group in the UK, meant to completely change the assembly lines of the 3 plants MINI has in the UK, expectations are high from this model. For example, the Oxford plant now has a body shop made out of 1,000 robots and uses new technologies at the steel body pressings operation in Swindon.
Even the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, was present at the launch, praising the importance the British brand plays in the country’s economy.
"I was lucky enough to get an early preview of the new Mini - a classic British icon - during a visit to the factory in Oxford last month. This £750 million investment is great news for both the local and wider economy, along with the 5,500 workers whose jobs are safeguarded by this launch,” he said.
"Car manufacturing is a vital engine for growth. Production is back up to pre-recession levels and a car rolls off the line every 20 seconds in the UK. But we're not complacent. Our industrial strategy is a key part of the Government's economic plan and we’re helping to drive the car industry further and faster with over £4bn of investment, “ Cameron added.
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