MINI To Begin Production At Nedcar

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

The long rumored move to build MINI vehicles at Mitsubishi’s Dutch plant has finally come to pass. Starting in the second half of 2014, MINI vehicles will be built at the former home of the Mitsubishi Charisma and Volvo S40.

Automotive News reports that a Dutch consortium known as the VDL Group will take over the plant and provide manufacturing to BMW under contract. Production capacity was not announced. The company hasn’t announced which vehicles will be built at Nedcar either. Nedcar joins the Magna-Steyr outfit in Austria (which builds the Countryman and Paceman) as the second non-English production site for Mini.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Threeer Threeer on Nov 29, 2012

    Then that will make the Mini about as "British" as the Fiat 500 is "Italian" (at least on our shores)...the lines of origin/manufacture continue to blur...

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    • Wmba Wmba on Nov 29, 2012

      @KalapanaBlack "BMW has announced a partnership with French automaker Peugeot to produce a line of four-cylinder engines that will power the redesigned 2008 MINI as well as future Peugeot and Citroen vehicles. Engine parts will be made at Peugeot's Douvrin plant in France while the powerplants will be assembled at separate facilities located near each car company's car manufacturing plants." Autoblog.com Which no doubt explains why the US Monroney sticker on the MINI says 30% France content, even if Hams Hall screws the bits together. Probably just dressing the long block with BMW bits and getting someone with a handfile to remove any PSA part numbers! Just joking. Since the MINI engine (non-turbo) is Valvetronic completely variable intake valve timing and lift, perhaps BMW makes those bits itself, hence the confusion on provenance. Certainly not engineered in the UK.

  • El scotto El scotto on Nov 29, 2012

    @ranwhenparked Thanks for the info, you have in-depth knowledge

  • Sector 5 Sector 5 on Nov 29, 2012

    I'm assuming this is the original home of DAF Auto. Sold to Volvo in the 70's for production of the 343. The Dutch don't have much love in their hearts for cars. Batavus & Gazelle mean far more.. My guess would be government sponsorship to keep manufacturing jobs via a third party.

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