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India could be the next stop for Mini as the brand looks to expand in the emerging markets.
Indian Minis may go on sale in 2009
After the roller-coaster ride that has taken it to more than 70 global markets, Britain’s iconic model will soon reach showrooms in India if a survey by BMW Group planners proves it is a viable proposition.
“If figures stack up, the Mini could be on sale here in 2009, BMW’s Asia region senior vice president David Panton told Motor Trader.
Production capacity at the Oxford factory has just been raised to 240,000 per year to meet demand for a revised line-up that includes the new Clubman version.
If figures stack up the Mini could be on sale here in 2009
Asked if higher demand might prompt BMW to open another Mini factory outside Britain, manufacturing chief Frank-Peter Arndt said: “We have no plans for further expansion at the moment because we can add more capacity if sales continue to grow. I think Oxford output could be stretched to the 300,000 level.”