Tag: MINI

BMW to build new electric MINI in Britain

Gareth Herincx

4 days ago
Auto News

New MINI Cooper Electric

BMW Group has announced a new investment of more than £600 million in the MINI factories at Oxford and Swindon.

The Oxford plant is gearing-up to build two new all-electric MINI models from 2026, the 3-door MINI Cooper and the compact crossover MINI Aceman.

This development has been supported by the UK Government and will help to secure jobs at the Oxford manufacturing plant and at the body-pressing facility in Swindon.

“With this new investment we will develop the Oxford plant for production of the new generation of electric MINIs and set the path for purely electric car manufacturing in the future,” said Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for production.

MINI Plant Oxford

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “BMW Group’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future. By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the country.”

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said, “This decision is a big vote of confidence in the UK economy and the work of this Government to ensure the continued strength of our world-leading automotive sector. We are proud to be able to support BMW Group’s investment, which will secure high-quality jobs, strengthen our supply chains, and boost Britain’s economic growth”.

The MINI Plant Oxford currently produces the MINI 3-door, the MINI 5-door as well as the MINI Clubman and the MINI Electric.

From 2024 the plant will start producing the next generation MINI 3-door and MINI 5-door with combustion engines, as well as the new MINI Convertible, before they are joined by the new all-electric vehicles in 2026 – the MINI Cooper 3-door and the MINI Aceman.

The factory will reach a production capacity of around 200,000 cars per year in the medium term, with ICE and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) initially being built on the same production line. From 2030, the Oxford Plant will produce all-electric MINI models exclusively.

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British-built Nissan Qashqai was UK’s bestselling car in 2022

Gareth Herincx

13 hours ago
Auto News

Gold-wrapped Nissan Qashqai

The Nissan Qashqai was the UK’s most popular new car of 2022, and the first British-built model to top the annual sales charts for 24 years.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirm that the home-grown Qashqai – which was designed in Paddington, engineered in Cranfield and is built in Sunderland – was the nation’s best-selling car of the last 12 months.

A total of 42,704 new Qashqais were driven off dealership forecourts across the UK in 2022, reported the SMMT.

To celebrate the achievement, an exclusive gold-wrapped Qashqai was created in honour of the 7,000 Nissan employees from around the UK that have contributed to its success.

  1. Nissan Qashqai – 42,704
  2. Vauxhall Corsa – 35,910
  3. Tesla Model Y – 35,551
  4. Ford Puma – 35,088
  5. Mini – 32, 387
  6. Kia Sportage – 29,655
  7. Hyundai Tucson – 27,839
  8. Volkswagen Golf – 26,588
  9. Ford Kuga – 26,549
  10. Ford Fiesta – 25,070

Overall, 1.61 million new cars were registered in the UK in 2022 – the lowest level since 1992.

Although demand for new vehicles remained high, manufacturers struggled to get hold of parts. There were particularly serious problems obtaining semiconductors, which are used in a vast array of electronic systems, from infotainment systems to engine management.

Meanwhile, demand for electric vehicles continued to grow and they accounted for almost a fifth of new car sales.

Registrations rose from 190,700 to 267,000 – with the EV market share climbing from 11.6% to 16.6%.

The Tesla Model Y was the biggest-selling electric vehicle by far, nothing up 35,551 registrations, followed by the Tesla Model 3 (19,071) and Kia Niro (11,197).

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MINI celebrates major milestone

Gareth Herincx

2 days ago
Auto News

20 years of MINI production at Swindon and Oxford

The one millionth MINI has been delivered in the UK, just over 20 years since the start of modern MINI production in 2001.

In all, MINI has sold more than 5.1 million cars globally in the past two decades, and the UK is the brand’s largest market.

The 3-Door Hatch, 5-Door Hatch, Clubman and Electric MINI models have all been built on the same production line at Plant Oxford.

What’s more, MINI Plants Oxford and Swindon employ 4,500 highly-skilled employees, including 130 apprentices, who all keep production moving to build 1,000 MINIs a day – one every 67 seconds.

“To have sold over one million MINIs in just 20 years is a remarkable milestone; we are all extremely proud,” said David George, Director of MINI UK.

“This achievement is testament to the fantastic cars we’ve built and launched during that time, our customers’ continued love for MINI, and the strength and unwavering dedication of our retail network.

MINI Countryman

“As we see the increasing demand for our MINI Electric and MINI Countryman Plug-In Hybrid models, which account for nearly a fifth of global electrified sales, we’re excited to see what the next 20 years hold, as we transition into our fully electric future.”

MINI will launch its last model with an internal combustion engine in 2025 and, by 2027, the share of all-electric vehicles in global MINI sales will be at least 50%. In the early 2030s, MINI will be the first BMW Group brand to go fully electric.

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MINI teams up with Dogs Trust to promote pet-friendly travel

Gareth Herincx

3 days ago
Auto Video

MINI has announced a new partnership with the Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity. Together they’re on a mission to help dogs travel happier.

“With more dogs in families now than ever before, we want to help make sure they travel safely and enjoy the ride,” said David George, Director of MINI UK.

“It’s just as important to us that our four-legged customers love being in a MINI as much as the drivers do and we have had a lot of fun letting dogs of all shapes and sizes put our cars through the ultimate tail-wagging tests.

“As our partnership continues we are really looking forward to working with Dogs Trust to help us support our MINI and dog-loving customers across the car buying and ownership journey, as we strive to become the UK’s first officially dog-friendly car retailer.”

MINI UK retailers will be welcoming dogs through the doors with important doggy equipment such as bowls and mats, whilst also working with Dogs Trust experts to educate motorists on best practice for happy dog car journeys.

Dr Jenna Kiddie, Head of Canine Behaviour at the Dogs Trust, added: “As the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, we’re delighted to be part of MINI’s journey to becoming fully dog friendly.

“It’s really important that your car is right for the whole family, including your four-legged passenger, whose needs and safety requirements are slightly different to ours.

“It’s wonderful to see MINI, such an iconic automotive brand, considering the needs of dog owners, so they can make sure their beloved canine family members are safe and comfortable when on the road.”

Find out more at the MINI Dogs Hub.

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Video,Gallery, Stats: 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP

MINI John Cooper Works GP Specifications

Performance & Economy 2020 MINI John Cooper Works GP 2012 MINI John Cooper Works GP 2006 MINI John Cooper Works GP
Engine 1,998cc turbocharged inline 4-cylinder 1,598cc turbocharged inline 4-cylinder 1,598cc supercharged inline 4-cylinder
Transmission 8-speed Steptronic, front engine, front-wheel drive 6-speed manual, front engine, front-wheel drive 6-speed manual, front engine, front-wheel drive
Power (PS / bhp) 310 / 306 218 / 215 at 6,000rpm 218 / 215 at 7,100rpm
Torque (Nm / lb.ft) 450 / 332 260 / 206 at 2,000 – 5,100rpm 250 / 184 at 4,600 rpm
0 – 62 mph (seconds) 5.2 6.3 6.5
Top Speed (mph) 165 150 149
CO2 Emissions (g/km) 167 165 207
VED Band I G K
Combined Economy (mpg) 39 39 32
Weight (kg) TBC 1,235 1,120
Price (OTR) £34,995 (in 2020) £28,795 (in 2012) ££22,000 (in 2006)

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