12:22 pm, September 1, 2011
THE two millionth Mini has driven off the production line at Oxford by Prime Minister David Cameron.
Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW AG board member responsible for production, was present to celebrate this latest major milestone for Plant Oxford. He said: ‘Production of the two millionth Mini comes on the back of strong demand worldwide.
‘Our recent announcement of an additional £500m investment in our UK Mini production facilities demonstrates the important role that Oxford plays in our global production network. The most essential factors in the success of Mini are the skills, passion and dedication of our associates’”
During the visit, Arndt updated the Prime Minister on preparations at the plant to produce the next generation Mini including new production facilities currently under construction.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: ‘It’s a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line today. The two millionth Mini to be made here in Oxford is a fantastic symbol of the UK’s strength in the global automotive industry and a great British manufacturing success story.
‘BMW’s continued investment in its UK operations, together with its export success – selling to more 90 countries worldwide – is contributing to a real renaissance for the UK car industry and a brilliant example of the sustainable, balanced growth we are determined to achieve.
‘Mini is not just a symbol of our industrial past, but also the great industrial future we want to build.’
The two millionth car is a Mini Convertible specially painted in White Silver metallic with a blue denim roof, and boasts bespoke features.
This historic car is the prize on offer in a global Facebook campaign called ‘Two Million Minis – Two Million Faces’ which involves photographs of the faces of two million Mini fans being collected and built to create a dedicated Facebook ‘wall’. The winner will be chosen at random after the campaign closes on September 30, 2011.
