MINI expands its international production network: Local production begins at the Chennai plant in India

In response to increasing worldwide demand for premium cars from the British MINI brand, the BMW Group is extending its international production network by additional local production plants for select MINI models. This adds another chapter to the global success story of MINI. For the first time since the relaunch of the brand in 2001, preparations are under way for the local production of MINI cars for several growth markets outside Europe. As a result, cars from the British premium brand will be rolling off assembly lines beyond Europe for the first time later this year. Local production for the MINI Countryman is currently being prepared at the BMW plant in Chennai (formerly Madras), which meets the same stringent quality standards applied to all production of BMW Group models.

The new MINI assembly facility has been brought on stream just a year after the start of MINI sales in India and will help to meet the steadily increasing demand for MINI cars in the Indian market.

The first models to be locally produced  in Chennai will be the MINI Cooper D Countryman and the MINI One Countryman.

Over recent times India has become an increasingly significant market for the BMW Group, which has operated its own sales company on the subcontinent since 2007. At the start of 2012, MINI opened its first five showrooms for cars from the British brand in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore, making India the 100th market in the global MINI sales network. A total of 302 cars were sold here in between March and December 2012.

The BMW Group’s decision – in line with its “production follows the market” strategy – to carry out local production of the MINI Countryman in India responds to the burgeoning interest within the country in innovative and high-quality vehicle concepts. MINI is the first premium manufacturer to be represented in the locally ultra-important small car segment, and is expecting the Indian car market as a whole to experience high growth rates over the medium and long term.

BMW’s Chennai production plant was built in March 2007 and has since taken on production of the BMW 3 Series and BMW 5 Series as well as the BMW X1 and BMW X3 models. The facility, which has a production area covering around 13,000 square metres (approx. 140,000 sq. ft.), is located in the Mahindra World City business zone in the southwest of India, roughly 40 kilometres (25 miles) northwest of Chennai. State-of-the-art machine technology, highly skilled employees and advanced manufacturing processes provide all the necessary ingredients for the production of premium cars to the highest quality standards.

Expansion of the international production network.

The ramping up of international production capacity is primarily aimed at providing a rapid and flexible supply line to the increasing number of customers in emerging markets. MINI delivered a record 301, 526 vehicles to customers worldwide in 2012, with markets on the American and Asian continents making a particularly strong contribution to this 5.8 per cent increase in sales over the previous year. The MINI brand will continue to broaden its global perspective over the coming years, and the strengthening of its international production network is intended to assist in that process.

Five of the seven models in the current MINI line-up are produced in the brand’s native Britain. The MINI plant in Oxford represents the central pillar in the BMW Group’s British production network, which also includes the Hams Hall engine factory in Birmingham and the press shop in Swindon. The MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman, meanwhile, roll off the assembly line at MINI’s production and development partner Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria and are also supplied with engines from Hams Hall.

The BMW Group is investing heavily in the expansion and modernization of the three locations that make up the MINI production triangle in Britain. Among the factors behind the move is the planned next stage in the expansion of the MINI model family, which will further bolster the brand’s global success.

Source: BMW Press

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The MINI Countryman: Model update measures for autumn 2012.

In the two years since its launch onto the world’s car markets, the MINI Countryman has developed into a driving force behind the continuing growth of the brand. The transference of hallmark MINI qualities and values into a new vehicle segment has won over new target groups worldwide to the brand’s unmistakable style. Autumn 2012 will see the British carmaker’s first model to offer all-wheel drive benefiting from an extensive round of modifications which will further enhance the allure of its boundless driving fun. Detailed refinements to the car’s design and the selection of materials available for the interior shine the spotlight even more brightly on a premium character none of the MINI Countryman’s rivals can match. The spacious five-door’s optimised ease of use underlines its very modern appreciation of practicality.

The modifications designed for the MINI Countryman will be rolled out across all model variants from November 2012. Open one of the front doors and the newly designed rings encircling the Centre Speedo and four air vents immediately stand out. They will now be presented across the board in the colour shade Carbon Black and also have an inner ring in high-gloss black or – as part of the Chrome Line Interior option – in chrome. Both in standard trim and with options specified, the fresh appeal of the colours and materials adds further lustre to the high-quality character of the MINI Countryman interior.

Newly designed door inserts also help to enhance the car’s premium ambience, comfort and practicality. Remodelled door armrests provide even more comfortable support for the arms, and the controls for the electric windows are now also positioned in the door trim. A full control panel is integrated into the door armrest on the driver’s side. The switches clustered here include the controls for all the windows, the deactivation facility for the rear window controls and adjustment for the exterior mirrors. Moving the window controls away from the centre console also optimises access to the larger storage compartment below it. From autumn 2012 the MINI Countryman will come as standard with a three-seat rear bench, while a pair of individual seats will be available as a no-cost alternative.

As well as changes to the range of interior colours, interior trim elements and Colour Lines, the selection of exterior paint finishes will also be given a refresh in autumn 2012. New additions include the suitably expressive colour shades Brilliant Copper metallic and Blazing Red metallic. Plus, a restructuring of the equipment packages on offer to customers will make it even easier to customise the MINI Countryman to reflect their tastes.

Customers can choose from six engine variants for the MINI Countryman. The three petrol and three diesel units produce outputs stretching from 66 kW/90 hp to 135 kW/184 hp. Beyond these, there is also the ultra-sporty MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, powered by a turbocharged 160 kW/218 hp engine. The ALL4 all-wheel-drive system fitted as standard on this top-class performance variant is also available as an option for the MINI Cooper S Countryman, MINI Cooper SD Countryman and MINI Cooper D Countryman. All models, with the exception of the MINI One D Countryman, can be ordered with a six-speed automatic gearbox as an alternative to the standard six-speed manual. The impressive efficiency of the engines and gearboxes along with extensive MINIMALISM technology ensure all the MINI Countryman variants achieve an exemplary balance between driving fun and fuel economy. Added to which, from autumn 2012 manual versions of the MINI One Countryman and MINI Cooper Countryman will meet the stipulations of the EU6 exhaust emissions standard due to come into force in 2014.

Source: BMW Media

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MINI John Cooper Works at the Essen Motor Show 2012.

Enthusiasm for extremely athletic driving fun and individual flair will attract visitors to the Essen Motor Show from December 1st to 9th at the trade fair centre at Grugapark. In Hall 3.0 they will see how John Cooper Works accessory products can be used to provide a top-quality and authentic upgrade for MINI - the epitome of agility and distinctive style in the small car segment. The current program comprising retrofit components in the areas of drive, suspension, aerodynamics and interior, developed using extensive racing experience, will be presented at the Essen Motor Show 2012. There will also be a spectacular program of multimedia activities not to mention a range of other visual and musical highlights to ensure a thrilling encounter with the John Cooper Works brand, integrated under the umbrella of MINI.

The John Cooper Works accessories program guarantees MINI drivers authentic and selective enhancement of their car's performance. The John Cooper Works logo not only stands for decades of racing experience but also for an equally longstanding connection with MINI. The name of legendary sports car designer John Cooper was already associated with the classic Mini as a sign of success on the race track and maximum driving fun on the road. Today the John Cooper Works product portfolio includes a range of vehicles now extending to a total of six models as well as a diverse program of retrofit accessories which further enhance and visually underscore the athletic talents of MINI.

The variety of the John Cooper Works accessory product range will be demonstrated at the Essen Motor Show, not least in the form of a MINI Cooper S geared entirely towards race track performance in terms of both exterior and interior features as well as in the areas of drive and suspension. The technical details of all components available for MINI models are illustrated by means of exhibits and a spectacular multimedia show featuring 3D effects.

Meanwhile the combination of accessories from the MINI RAY product line provides a whole new way of expressing individual style: an example of this is presented in a MINI Countryman for the first time in Germany. MINI RAY adds a dash of colour to the grey of the asphalt with a range of stylish decorative elements. The components are made of high-quality materials and are offered in six colours which have been designed especially for the MINI RAY product line. In addition to Alien Green, customers can also choose from Lemon Yellow, Vitamin Orange, Energy Pink, Shocking Blue and Flash White. The MINI Cooper SD Countryman with ALL4 all-wheel drive on show in Essen features a paint finish in Light White, with MINI RAY mirror caps, MINI RAY decorative stripes and MINI RAY turn indicator surrounds adding a powerful dash of colour with the exclusive Alien Green finish. The new product line also comprises wheel hub covers as well as plates for the radiator grille and interior.

Both the MINI RAY products and the John Cooper Works accessory products reflect the excellent standards of the BMW Group in terms of design, quality and safety. What is more, retrofitting these items has no impact whatsoever on the warranty terms as applicable to the vehicle in question. Sales and installation are taken care of by the MINI dealer network, MINI sales subsidiaries and MINI service partners.

After the highly successful premiere last year, the aim of the John Cooper Works presentation at the Essen Motor Show 2012 is once again to establish close contact with members of the public interested in athletic flair, individual style and premium quality. The Essen trade fair is regarded as the most highly frequented automobile shows of the year in Germany and the organisers are anticipating some 340,000 visitors.

There will be attractive offers from the MINI Lifestyle and the Original MINI Accessories program available at trade fair rates at the exhibition stand. Visitors will also be able to obtain vouchers for discounts when purchasing MINI accessory products from participating dealerships and service partners.

Fans of sporty automobiles can look forward to a fitting welcome from one exceptionally athletic vehicle bearing the John Cooper Works logo. A MINI John Cooper Works GP will be positioned in the outside area of the trade fair centre. This two-seater with an output of 160 kW/218 bhp and fitted with the full range of motor racing technology is presented in a cage with the words: "Beware - it bites!" However, the fastest MINI ever built is in fact kept with such care for quite a different reason. The MINI John Cooper Works GP is not just an extremely fast sprinter, it is also exceptionally rare since it is produced in a small series of just 2,000.

Source: BMW Media

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