The Art of Assembly: 100 Years of Plant Oxford

To celebrate this year's stellar centennial of Plant Oxford, the MINI central assembly facility, a five-car motorcade set out on a continental tour of all its many former plants. From MINI headquarters in Munich down to the southernmost tip of Italy and all the way up to Dublin, the MINI crew is now descending upon the ultimate celebration destination, Plant Oxford itself.

Since William Morris opened the factory floor in 1913, Plant Oxford in Cowley, England has become synonymous with high caliber car production. It was in this very same facility (where the majority of today's MINI models are also produced) that Sir Alec Issigonis's original Classic Mini was born.

 The first Classic Mini rolled off the production line in 1959 and since then Plant Oxford has played a vital role in getting cars into the driveways of MINIacs all over the world. In the decade following the car's inception alone, the plant produced an astounding 602,816 Classic Mini. This also included the building of CKD (Completely Knocked Down) vehicle sets to be shipped off and assembled in locations abroad. An international production scheme was realized with the help of other facilities across mainland Europe who helped to build the MINI brand piece by piece.

To celebrate this milestone of automotive history, the MINI convoy reconnected with eight former Mini production sites scattered across Europe: Germany, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland - and of course, Great Britain. Of all these far-flung locales, three of them are still hubs of automotive assembly to this day!

Times may have changed since 1959, but the MINI approach to international manufacturing hasn't. Today, Plant Oxford is still responsible for producing the MINI Hatch, MINI Cabrio, MINI Clubman, MINI Clubvan, MINI Roadster and MINI Coupé.

 While Plant Oxford is a monument to the early development of MINI, it doesn't mean the facility hasn't kept up with the times. In the coming months, the plant will receive an update with a new fit-out and the installation of 1,000 new robots. Similarly, an update of facilities at the other points of the MINI production triangle - Hams Hall engine plant and Swindon body pressing factory - will ensure that MINI components bear the "Made in Great Britain" stamp for many years to come.

 After covering almost 10,000 kilometers across the continent, the five Oxford-built MINI convoy arrives back on British turf in time to celebrate the plant's centenary on 28 March. A display of the ten most legendary automobiles to drive off the factory floor will be waiting at the gates. A day of festivities will ensue as Plant Oxford opens it doors to members of the press and special guests. And when the celebrations come to a close, those in attendance will be able to drive their MINI home from the place where it all began.

Here's to another 100 years, Plant Oxford!