| The new Mini Sports Activity Vehicle
(SAV) is to be built by Magna Steyr in Austria – the first time
production work on one of the Mini range has gone outside the UK since
BMW revived the marque six years ago.
The vehicle concept is being devised by Mini Design and BMW Group
engineers and Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in Graz will undertake series
development and later production.
BMW says that cooperation with Magna Steyr is an efficient way to ensure
the planned profitable growth through new model launches set out in the
company's strategic alignment. It also enables it to increase flexibility
within its own production network.
“This allows the lead plant for Mini production in Oxford to fully
direct its midterm capacity of 260,000 units towards meeting demand for
the three core models Mini, Mini Convertible and Mini Clubman, Frank-Peter
Arndt, head of production and member of the board of management of BMW
AG, said.
"By using Magna Steyr for production, we are able to give our own
production network some breathing space to respond fully to market needs.
This solution will also allow us to bring the Mini SAV to the market as
quickly as possible."
Magna Steyr has already produced the successful BMW X3. Speaking about
the new contract, Siegfried Wolf, co-CEO of Magna International, saw this
as a "huge recognition of the work that Magna Steyr has achieved
so far through its partnership with BMW Group."
The majority of drive train development will be done by BMW. In addition,
BMW Group will design the supply contracts with the suppliers while Magna
will be responsible for call-offs during series production.
BMW has stressed in the past the essential "English-ness" of
the Mini marque and has previously resisted moves to source the car from
other plants. But the car's success has put pressure ion the Cowley plant
in Oxford, and BMW is known to be keen on transforming Mini and other
vehicles into "world" cars.
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