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MINI Starts Production at VDL Nedcar in the Presence of Dutch King

BMW is currently looking to reach a steep target of over 2 million vehicles sold this year and MINI could help them reach it. However, in order to do so, the Oxford plant needs help as its 260,000-unit production per year is not nearly enough.
MINI on the assembly line at VDL 19 photos
Photo: MINI
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In this regard, the BMW Group signed a deal with Dutch company VDL Nedcar to build the new generation MINI models at their facilities starting this year. Actually, starting today, as the plant was opened for business and received the blessing of Dutch King Willem-Alexander.

Other important guests watched the first car roll off the assembly lines in Born today, including the German Ambassador, Franz Josef Kremp; the Netherland’s Secretary of Economic Affairs, Henk Kamp; the CEO of VDL Groep, Wim van der Leegte; Dr. Andreas Wendt, Director of BMW Group Plant Regensburg – the partner plant of VDL Nedcar in Born; and Dr. Johann Wieland, Head of Indirect Purchasing, BMW Group.

With this new plant, MINI becomes the only manufacturer in the world with series production vehicles made through a contract in the Netherlands. However, the location is basically perfect for the BMW Group as it’s right in between Germany and Oxford.

“Contract production is a vital flexibility tool for us, and our experience gathered over the past ten years has been nothing but positive. Splitting production of the new MINI Hatch between Oxford and Born will give our global production network additional leeway,” stated Dr. Andreas Wendt, Director of the BMW Group’s Regensburg plant, the partner plant of VDL Nedcar in Born.

“We appreciate the reliable, open and trustful cooperation with our Dutch partner. VDL Nedcar has many years of experience in producing high quality vehicles,” he added.

The plant will be employing around 2,000 people starting this summer and the volume at the new factory is expected to reach 5-digit territory as early as this year. Of course, the officials assured us that the same quality standards will be kept here as well as in Oxford.
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