Mini Plant Oxford resumes Mini Cooper Convertible production
Move by BMW Group
Production of the Mini Cooper Convertible has returned to the Mini Plant Oxford site for the first time since 2015. The new model joins the Mini Cooper 3-Door and 5-Door in making Oxford the heart of the Mini Cooper family. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the iconic convertible, one of the most emotional models in the Mini range since its debut in 2004.
The fourth-generation Mini Cooper Convertible brings excitement with its new interior and exterior design. The latest model also integrates cutting-edge technology, offering customers a state-of-the-art digital experience.
Stefan Richmann, Head of Mini, said: “We are thrilled about the start of production of the Mini Convertible, which is now being produced again at the Oxford plant, the home of Mini. Unique in its class, the Mini Convertible offers unparalleled, brand-typical driving fun, boundless freedom and great emotions: The iconic design combined with modern technology and connectivity makes this vehicle an unmatched open-air experience for our customers.”
Three UK-based BMW Group manufacturing plants contribute to the creation of the Mini Cooper Convertible. The body pressings and sub-assemblies are produced at BMW Group Plant Swindon, while the advanced four-cylinder petrol engines are built at BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire. These parts converge at Mini Plant Oxford, where body shell production, painting, and final assembly occur.
Special place
The Mini Convertible has held a special place in the Mini family since its introduction in 2004, following the brand’s revival in 2001. During its initial years, from 2004 to 2008, the first-generation Mini Convertible became a beloved model, celebrated for its retro styling and iconic chrome roll-over arches behind the rear seats.
The second generation, launched in 2009, introduced a more evolved version. One hundred sixty-five thousand units were produced at Mini Plant Oxford until 2015 when production shifted to VDL Nedcar in the Netherlands, where over 150,000 units were produced. This shift occurred to make space for the Mini Clubman at Oxford. However, in 2023, production of the Mini Cooper Convertible returned to Mini Plant Oxford, reinvigorating the plant with the return of the iconic drop-top model.
Mini Plant Oxford, celebrating its 110th anniversary in 2023, remains a vital pillar of the Mini brand. The plant has been in continuous operation since 1913 and is one of the oldest automotive factories in the world. In the same year, Mini Plant Oxford also produced over 20% of all UK-manufactured cars, underscoring its significance within the global automotive industry.
The return of the Mini Cooper Convertible to Oxford marks a significant step in the brand’s evolution. It blends Mini’s iconic style with modern technology while reaffirming the historic value of the plant that has helped shape the Mini legacy for over a century. With its new design and tech upgrades, the Mini Cooper Convertible is poised to continue captivating drivers with its unique blend of freedom, fun, and iconic style.
Hero image: The return of the Mini Cooper Convertible to Oxford marks a significant step in the brand’s evolution. Credit: BMW Group
Last Updated on 2 months by News Desk 2
