The next-generation Mini Convertible will be built in at the Oxford plant, the firm’s boss has confirmed.
Stefanie Wurst said production of the Convertible would switch to Oxford from the Netherlands in its next generation in 2024 or 2025, and be built alongside petrol-powered versions of the upcoming three- and five-door Mini models in their next era, due to launch from November 2023.
“The Convertible is coming home,” said Wurst on the decision.
The next-generation of Minis will span six different models built on three platforms in three different factories. In Oxford, there will be petrol versions of the three door, five door and Convertible models. In Leipzig, there will be electric and petrol versions of a new, bigger Mini Countryman. As part of Mini’s tie-up with Great Wall in China, there will be an electric version of the three door hatchback and a new larger five-door model called Aceman.
All versions built in Oxford – as well as the three-door hatch built in China – will be known as the Cooper. Although the three-door models built in Oxford and China will look identical, they will be different cars underneath. There will be no electric version of the Oxford-built five-door Cooper for China; that role instead being indirectly filled by the larger Aceman.
Wurst confirmed the Mini One would be no more and the Cooper would instead fill the entry-level role. High performance versions of both petrol and electric Coopers would be offered, meaning the petrol range would span Cooper, Cooper S and Cooper JCW models and the electric versions; Cooper E, Cooper SE and Cooper JCW E.
The switch in this new era for Mini sees the Oxford plant lose the electric hatchbacks that it currently builds, but Wurst confirmed that electric cars would ultimately return to the factory.