mini plant oxford tour price

MINI Plant Oxford Tour

Use of cookies.

We use cookies – including third-party cookies – to collect information about how visitors use our websites. They help us give you the best possible experience, continually improve our sites and provide you with offers that are tailored to your interests.

The information collected via cookies can also be processed outside of the European Union, for example in the USA. By clicking the “Accept all” button you agree to the use of these cookies. You can withdraw your consent at any time, change your preferences and get detailed information about our use of cookies by clicking “Individual”.

Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper functioning of the website.

Statistics cookies acquire information anonymously. This information helps us to understand how our visitors use our website.

Content from video sharing platforms and social media platforms is blocked by default. If cookies are accepted by external media, access to these contents no longer requires manual consent.

What's On In Oxford

Things to do in oxford, the oxford mini plant tour: a ticket to automotive excellence.

January 29, 2024

Delve into the heart of British automotive craftsmanship at the BMW Group Plant Oxford, the revered birthplace of the legendary MINI. This plant, operational since 1913, is not just one of the oldest automobile factories in the world; it’s a living museum of automotive innovation and a testament to sustainable mobility. With over 10 million MINIs sold in 110 countries since 2001, the Oxford Mini Plant is an emblem of enduring success, blending historic charm with state-of-the-art technology. Here, every day, the confluence of tradition and innovation results in the production of about 1,000 cars across three different body styles.

The iFactory Experience: A Portal to Automotive Mastery

The Oxford Mini Plant offers the iFactory Experience, a journey through the pulsating heart of one of the most modern car factories in Britain. Whether you opt for the Basic Tour or the Family Tour , you’re signing up for 90 minutes of immersive automotive discovery.

Tickets and Booking Information

Embarking on this journey requires a ticket, each offering a unique perspective into the world of MINI. Here are your options:

Single Ticket Basic Tour (90 min), BMW Group Mini Plant Oxford

• Location: MINI Plant, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK
• Duration: 1 hour 30 min
• Highlights: Witness the production of the legendary MINIs, a British icon that has graced the roads for over two decades.
• Price: From £17.00
• Booking: Book Now

Group Ticket Basic Tour (90 min), BMW Group Mini Plant Oxford

• Location: MINI Visitor Centre Oxford, UK
• Highlights: Explore one of Britain’s most modern car factories and see where the legendary MINIs have been rolling off the production line for more than 20 years.
• Price: From £225.00

Single Ticket Family Tour (90 min), BMW Group Mini Plant Oxford

• Location: MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, United Kingdom
• Highlights: Get up close and personal with one of the most modern car factories in Britain. Dive behind the scenes to witness the assembly of a British icon.

Navigating Your Tour: What to Expect

Prepare to be enthralled by the precision and passion that go into creating every MINI. Starting in the body shop, watch as 1,200 robots and 650 employees skilfully craft the basic framework from steel sheets. Then, proceed to the final assembly hall, where you’ll see the MINI come to life, from the installation of the cockpit to the wedding of the power units and through to the final validation checks.

Before You Go: Important Considerations

To ensure your visit is seamless and enjoyable, here are a few key points to note:

• Due to global events, tours may be subject to changes or cancellations. Rest assured, alternative arrangements or refunds will be provided promptly if necessary.
• Age restrictions apply for factory access. Please refer to the official guidelines for detailed information.
• Closed shoes are required for the tour, and personal items, especially electronic devices, should be left in a lockable cabinet as they are not allowed on the visitor path.
• Restroom facilities are available before and after the tour, but not during.

The Oxford Mini Plant Tour is more than just a factory visit; it’s an invitation to witness the confluence of heritage and innovation. Whether you’re a solo traveller, a group of enthusiasts, or a family keen on inspiring young minds, this tour offers an unparalleled peek into the heart of British automotive excellence. Secure your ticket today and gear up for an experience that’s as iconic as the MINI itself.

Get Access Now: Book Your Oxford Mini Plant Tour

Mini Plant Oxford tour

Mini cars are assembled at the Plant Oxford factory complex in the southeastern suburb of Cowley and it is possible to take a tour of the facility to see Minis being made.

Minis are made at three plants in the UK. Engines are made at Plant Hams Hall, the body pressings and sub-assembly is done at Plant Swindon and it all comes together at Plant Oxford where the body shell production, final assembly and painting takes place. Up to 1,000 cars roll off the production line at Plant Oxford every day and it is the only one of these plants where you can take a guided tour.

A visit is highly recommended if you own a Mini or if you simply love seeing how things are made. It is also worth a visit if you’re spending a few days in Oxford and can’t stomach the thought of visiting yet another college.

What to see on the factory tour

Visitors to Plant Oxford start off at the Visitor Centre, which has a small exhibition about the history of the Mini.

It is a very well structured tour that shows the entire production process from start to finish. First, you see robots building the body of the car and then you get to see the individual components being added to the car before watching the finished cars roll off the production line.

Visiting Mini Plant Oxford

Mini Plant Oxford is in Cowley, around 5.2km (3¼ miles) southeast of Oxford city centre. Tours depart from the Mini Visitor Centre on Horspath Road just off the Eastern By-Pass Road.

The Visitor Centre has an exhibition space as well as a gift shop that sells Mini-themed merchandise.

It is best to pre-book your tour as group sizes are limited to a maximum of 15 people on each tour. It is best to book at least six to eight weeks in advance if there is a specific date that you want to visit.

There is the option of either the basic tour or the family tour. The basic tour should suit most people; however, the family tour is more suitable if you have children as the production process is explained in a more age-appropriate way on this tour.

Children younger than 14 cannot take the tour and children aged 14–17 must be accompanied by an adult at a ratio of two children to each adult.

Although you can take photos in the museum area of the visitor centre it is not possible to take photos (or video) in the factory and you’re required to place your phones and cameras in a locker prior to taking the tour.

The plant tour is now wheelchair accessible, however, you will need your own transport as the tour moves between different buildings on the plant and the shuttle bus is not wheelchair accessible.

Tours run for 90 minutes but you should allow a little longer for the entire experience. It is recommended that you get there around 15 minutes before the start of your tour and allow time to look at the museum inside the visitor centre after the tour.

Tours are running again

Please see our Website: www.visit-bmwgroup.com/en - Tours are running again in Oxford.

5 August 2022

Are you scheduling tours yet!

We have been patiently waiting to have the tour of your plant. We will only be in Oxford a few more months. Are you scheduling the tours yet? We sure hope so! Thank you!

5 July 2022

When can we visit your Cowley production facility. My wife is on her third Mini now, and still has the ''Mini Purse'' from 2003, although we are just having a new zip fitted. My wife is 74 this year, and it would be great for her, if I could bring her to Cowley as a surprise. I am 75 this year, still driving, and for a Main Dealer, so please let me know when I can bring her. We live in Grimsby, North East Linolnshire, near Cleethorpes, and I would love to bring her to your facility, to see what goes on. She has had a lot of bad health recently, nearly at deaths door, but is recovering vey well, so could you let me know if I can bring her, sometime this year. Many thanks Brian Ford.

25 April 2022

Submit your review Cancel review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit review

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Plan your next trip to England with us

Planning a trip to England? englandrover.com  is your independent source of travel information with information about how to get around, what to see and do and where to stay on your next trip to England.

• Windsor and Eton

The Midlands

• Stratford-upon-Avon
• Ironbridge Gorge
• Warwick & Leamington Spa
• Newcastle upon Tyne

Copyright 2018–2024 Rover Media Pty Ltd

Username or Email Address *

Remember me Lost your password?

Don't have an account yet? Please Register.

Email Address *

Your personal data will be used to support your experience throughout this website, to manage access to your account, and for other purposes described in our privacy policy .

Already have account? Please Login.

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.

Privacy Overview

Mini Plant Oxford Tour

Book a Mini Plant Oxford Tour to look behind the scenes to see how MINIs are made at MINI Plant Oxford. Tours run on Mondays to Fridays from 9.00am to 4.00pm and last for around 2 hours.

Book tickets

Description

Oxford is the birthplace of the Mini and the centre of its production. The plant was founded in 1913 and has been in constant production ever since, making it one of the oldest car plants in the world.

It was the birthplace of the original Mini in 1959 and came into BMW Group ownership in 1994. The new MINI was launched at the plant in 2001, and the first electric MINI was produced there in 2020.

But despite being one of the oldest car plants in the world, it is also one of the most modern car factories in the UK. Up to 1,000 cars roll off the production line daily at this site. And as many as 4,500 employees work here to assemble the British cult car.

Take a tour and experience the most exciting elements of car production, from the bodyshop, where pressed steel panels are welded or bonded together with the help of 1,200 robots, to the final assembly halls where the finished MINI comes together.

The tour takes around 2 hours to complete, and you are free to visit the museum before and after your slot.

Related products

Oxford University Walking Tour with University Alumni Guide

Drag and resize the circle to cover your area of interest and then click the button below the map to view the selected resources. Use the toolbar above to narrow resources by category.

Mini Plant Oxford Factory Tour

Oxford is the birthplace of the Mini and the centre of its production. Hundreds of Mini motorcars, manufactured to the specifications individually chosen by customers, leave the factory each day. Here you can see behind the scenes at this vast factory and view this iconic car being manufactured.

Restrictions

• Photography and filming on the tour is prohibited. Cameras and mobile phones may not be used and can be placed in lockers.
• Closed shoes must be worn for safety reasons. No sandles or shoes where parts of the feet are exposed.
• All tour participants must be at least 14 years of age. Visitors under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
• Wheelchair users are welcome on the tour and must bring their own wheelchair.
• People with heart pacemakers or insulin pumps will have to skip a couple of stations on the tour due to the presence of electromagnetic radiation.
• No pets or animals are permitted on the factory tour.
• Closed shoes should be worn.

The Mini car factory is located in the south east of Oxford, about 8km (5 miles) from the city centre. Click the map pin icon to view the location on a map.

Visitors should arrive 10 or 15 minutes before the start of the tour. For further details, including tour times, information about the reduced price ticket category and to book a tour, click the "More info" button below.

• United Kingdom
• -- All Areas --
• -- Select From Map --
• East Midlands
• East of England
• North West England
• South East England
• South West England
• West Midlands
• Yorkshire and the Humber

Mini Plant Oxford

Go behind the scenes of the factory making one of the UK’s most iconic cars Tour the Mini car production plant in Oxford together with an expert Extend your experience with the MINI Racing Challenge!   

Visit the MINI Plant in the beautiful city of Oxford, England.  Experience the amazing almost clinical environment in which some of the world’s most famous small vehicles are manufactured.  Venture behind the scenes at the Mini’s historic birthplace and heart of its modern day production.

MINI PLANT OXFORD FACTORY TOUR

Optional extension – mini racing challenge.

Get behind the wheel. Go head to head with your friends or colleagues in a modern MINI race car or a classic Mini in state of the art racing simulators . Nothing brings people together quicker than the thrill and exhilaration of racing around legendary tracks and circuits. Who will make it to the podium?

Fantastic Customer Service

We want to thank you for the services provided to our agency. The program was perfect and everything was ok. We’ll keep in touch for any other future requests!

You will also like...

Cook Like A Local – Barcelona

Oyster Farming In Ireland

Pizza & Gelato Workshop – Tuscany

All About Italian Ice Cream – Florence or Rome

Our promise to you

Meet Our Team Find out more

Our Services Find out more

Our History Find out more

Our Strengths Find out more

A to Z Personal Service

Tailor Made Itineraries

2-Hour MINI Plant Guided Group Tour

• Tour equipment, tour head-sets, hi-viz vests, safety glasses will be made available for the duration of your tour.
• Entry/Admission - Oxford
• MINI Visitor Centre, MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK The MINI Visitor Centre can be accessed from the Eastern By-Pass Road via gate 5 or Horspath Road via gate 7. You can enter the postcode OX4 6NL into your GPS or follow the brown signs on the ring road.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travellers can participate
• The tour is unfortunately not suitable for visitors with a pacemaker or insulin pump.
• Cochlear implants and hearing aids can be accommodated, please make your tour guide aware at the start of your tour if you have a cochlear implant or hearing aid.
• Footwear. Please wear sensible and comfortable footwear, which is not open-toed. No heeled footwear is permitted.
• Minimum age. The minimum age is 10 and every 2 children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Filming and photographing is strictly prohibited in the production areas. Cameras and mobile phones may to be used and can be place in lockers.
• Belongings. All personal belongings including bags and mobile phones will be locked away for the duration of the tour as these are not permitted in production areas.
• Distance. The plant tours lead through different production and plant site areas. The distance covered is 3.5 km. Please wear comfortable and closed shoes.
• Food & drink. You can purchase soft drinks from the vending machine located in the Visitor Centre. Please note that no food or beverages may be taken on the plant tour. Visitors are not able to buy food at the plant.
• No animals. Pets and animals of any kid are not allowed.
• Arrival time. Please arrive at the MINI Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the start of your tour.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at MINI Visitor Centre MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK The MINI Visitor Centre can be accessed from the Eastern By-Pass Road via gate 5 or Horspath Road via gate 7. You can enter the postcode OX4 6NL into your GPS or follow the brown signs on the ring road. See address & details
• 1 MINI Plant Oxford Stop: 2 hours - Admission included Come with us on a journey through more than 100 years of Oxford's car building history and take a behind the scenes look at how we produce over 1,000 unique, made-to-order MINIs every day. Our award-winning guided tours will take you on an adventure through our state of the art production facilities, where a new MINI is built every 67 seconds. Your MINI adventure will start at the Visitor Centre with a brief factory history and heath&safety, followed by a visit to the body shop and the assembly hall. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in Oxford

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

2-Hour MINI Plant Guided Group Tour - with unbiased reviews

2-Hour MINI Plant Guided Group Tour

• Tour equipment, tour head-sets, hi-viz vests, safety glasses will be made available for the duration of your tour.
• Entry/Admission - Oxford
• MINI Visitor Centre, MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK The MINI Visitor Centre can be accessed from the Eastern By-Pass Road via gate 5 or Horspath Road via gate 7. You can enter the postcode OX4 6NL into your GPS or follow the brown signs on the ring road.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travellers can participate
• The tour is unfortunately not suitable for visitors with a pacemaker or insulin pump.
• Cochlear implants and hearing aids can be accommodated, please make your tour guide aware at the start of your tour if you have a cochlear implant or hearing aid.
• Footwear. Please wear sensible and comfortable footwear, which is not open-toed. No heeled footwear is permitted.
• Minimum age. The minimum age is 10 and every 2 children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Filming and photographing is strictly prohibited in the production areas. Cameras and mobile phones may to be used and can be place in lockers.
• Belongings. All personal belongings including bags and mobile phones will be locked away for the duration of the tour as these are not permitted in production areas.
• Distance. The plant tours lead through different production and plant site areas. The distance covered is 3.5 km. Please wear comfortable and closed shoes.
• Food & drink. You can purchase soft drinks from the vending machine located in the Visitor Centre. Please note that no food or beverages may be taken on the plant tour. Visitors are not able to buy food at the plant.
• No animals. Pets and animals of any kid are not allowed.
• Arrival time. Please arrive at the MINI Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the start of your tour.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at MINI Visitor Centre MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK The MINI Visitor Centre can be accessed from the Eastern By-Pass Road via gate 5 or Horspath Road via gate 7. You can enter the postcode OX4 6NL into your GPS or follow the brown signs on the ring road. See address & details
• 1 MINI Plant Oxford Stop: 2 hours - Admission included Come with us on a journey through more than 100 years of Oxford's car building history and take a behind the scenes look at how we produce over 1,000 unique, made-to-order MINIs every day. Our award-winning guided tours will take you on an adventure through our state of the art production facilities, where a new MINI is built every 67 seconds. Your MINI adventure will start at the Visitor Centre with a brief factory history and heath&safety, followed by a visit to the body shop and the assembly hall. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in Oxford

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

2-Hour MINI Plant Guided Group Tour - with unbiased reviews

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PLANT OXFORD.

EIGHT SECRETS FROM BEHIND THE SCENES.

2021 is a pretty special year for us. It’s both the 20th anniversary of production at Plant Oxford, as well as two decades since our modern design was launched.  

They say time flies when you’re having fun. For us, that’s certainly true. To mark this milestone, we’ve pulled together eight of the most amazing secrets from behind the scenes at Plant Oxford, with a little help from long-standing team member Tom Festa. 

1. THERE’S ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE. ISH.

A MINI is born at Plant Oxford every 67 seconds. Which just so happens to be one of Tom’s favourite facts.

“Each MINI that rolls off the production line does so with its own character. Perfectly suited to the customer who ordered it.” – Tom Festa, Project Leader

2. MINI ASSOCIATES CREATE CONTRAST ROOFS BY HAND.

The production team at MINI is split into two parts; a cutting-edge robotic system and highly-skilled associates. Our robots bring fantastic precision and efficiency, but some tasks need a human touch.

When it comes to some of the more intricate jobs at Plant Oxford, like painting our signature contrast roofs, we rely on our skilled associates.

“Our associates make the business” Tom explains. “They bring creativity and problem-solving capabilities, which help turn challenging ideas into reality. Take our latest three-tone contrast roof for example – a totally unique MINI offering.”

3. OUR OXFORD ABODE SHIPS TO OVER 110 COUNTRIES.

Where a MINI is born is often totally different to where it’ll end up. The Plant ships to an incredible 110+ countries, from Belgium to Brazil.

4. WE BUILD ADVENTURE-READY CARS.

Ok, so this might not be our best kept secret but the MINIs we make often live a life far beyond the tarmac. Many of our Plant Oxford creations are destined for big adventures.

“I’ve seen MINIs on the highest mountain range along the equator” Tom reveals. “We have MINI customers in Ecuador who love the iconic brand and enjoy driving MINIs along the Andean mountain roads.”

5. SPECIAL EDITIONS ARE KIND OF OUR THING.

We love a special edition here at MINI. And when we have a vision, we know the talented team at Plant Oxford will have the skills to bring it to life. From the Paddy Hopkirk Special Edition Cooper S to the race flag-inspired MINI Checkmate, there’s been an array of amazing have been dozens and dozens of limited designs over the years.

Tom looks back on a couple of his favourites, “If I could bring a special edition MINI back, it’d be a toss-up between the MINI 50 Mayfair and MINI 50 Camden special editions for our 50 year celebrations” he goes on to explain “they captured the spirit of London’s swinging 60’s.”

6. THERE ARE COUNTLESS STYLE COMBINATIONS.

7. WE CREATE CUSTOM DESIGNS.

8. minis are full of secrets..

This fact is a two-for-one. MINIs have some incredible, intricate details that drivers, old and new, may have yet to discover.

Tom’s favourite, which never fails to make him smile, is the ‘nod’ a MINI’s headlights make when you press to unlock.

And for our Electric drivers out there, did you know the noise MINI Electric makes when it starts up is sound engineered? The little jingle it makes is actually the word ‘MINI’ in morse code notes.

Sign up for email updates.

Sign up for email updates..

Whether you're looking for city thrills or big adventure there's a MINI to suit you.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE MINI APP.

Website currently not fully available..

Our tool for managing your permission to our use of cookies is temporarily offline. Therefore some functionality requiring you consent to use of cookies may be missing.

PressClub Global · Article.

Mini plant oxford – a century of car-making., 08.03.2013 press release, mini plant oxford celebrates 100 years of production – its first car, a bullnose morris oxford, was produced on 28 march 1913 just metres from today’s facility – total car production to date stands at 11,655,000 and counting – over 2,250,000 minis built so far, plus 602,187 classic minis manufactured at plant oxford – plant oxford is the oldest mass-production car plant in the uk and the third oldest in the world, seeing continuous production since 1913 – 13 car brands have been produced at plant oxford in 100 years., press contact..

Andreas Lampka BMW Group Tel: +49-89-382-23662 Fax: +49-89-382-20626 send an e-mail

This article in other PressClubs

Oxford. MINI Plant Oxford celebrates 100 years of car-making this March, against a background of rising production, increased investment and continuing expansion. Today, Plant Oxford employs 3700 associates who manufacture up to 900 MINIs every day, and has contributed over 2.25 million MINIs to the tally of over 11.65 million cars that the factory has produced since 1913.

The first car built at the factory, a Bullnose Morris Oxford, emerged on 28 March 1913 and has been followed by cars from a wide range of famous British brands – and one Japanese - including MG, Wolseley, Riley, Austin, Austin Healey, Mini, Vanden Plas, Princess, Triumph, Rover, Sterling and Honda, besides founding marque Morris and MINI. The Pressed Steel Company subsidiary occupying the same Cowley complex also built bodyshells for Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, MG, Standard-Triumph, Ford and Hillman, as well as tooling dies for Alfa Romeo. The plant has a long and impressive history of shipping cars abroad that has resulted in more than1.7 million MINIs going to overseas customers.

The plant has produced an array of famous cars, including the Bullnose Morris, the Morris Minor, the Mini, India’s Hindustan Ambassador and today’s MINI. It also produced Hondas for a short period in the ‘80s, as well as some slightly notorious models including the early Riley Pathfinder, the much-derided Morris Marina, the startling ’70s wedge that was the Princess and in the Austin Maestro one of the world’s earliest ‘talking’ cars.

There have been eight custodians of Plant Oxford over the past 100 years, beginning with founder William Morris who owned the factory both directly and through Morris Motors until 1952, when Morris merged with arch-rival Austin to form the British Motor Corporation. Morris himself, by this time known as Lord Nuffield, was chairman for six months before retiring. During the early ‘60s the plant had as many as 28,000 employees producing an extraordinary variety of models.

In 1967 BMC became British Motor Holdings after merging with Jaguar, and the following year that group was merged with the Leyland truck company (which also included Triumph and Rover) to form the British Leyland Motor Corporation. Nationalisation followed in 1974, the group undergoing several renamings until it became the Rover Group in 1986. Boss Graham Day was charged with privatising the company for the Thatcher government, which was completed in 1988 with the sale to British Aerospace. They in turn would sell the Group, which included Land Rover, to BMW in 1994.

BMW Group invested heavily in Rover, deciding early on that a replacement for the Mini would be a priority. But considerable headwinds, and an unfavourable exchange rate lead to BMW selling Rover to the Phoenix Consortium in 2000 and Land Rover to Ford in 2000. The MINI brand was retained together with Plant Oxford, as Cowley had been renamed, along with the associated Swindon pressings factory and the new Hams Hall engine plant in Birmingham that was preparing for production.

Today, Plant Oxford is flourishing with the manufacture of the MINI hatchback, Convertible, Clubman, Clubvan, Roadster and Coupé. It is currently undergoing a major investment that includes the installation of a 1000 new robots for both a new body shop and the existing facility. This represents the lion’s share of a £750m investment programme, announced in the last year, which also sees the significant upgrading and installation of new facilities at the company’s Hams Hall engine plant and the Swindon body pressings factory.

The Oxford plant has generated considerable wealth for the nation, as well as for many other countries around the world during its 100 years, providing direct employment for hundreds of thousands of employees and tens of thousands more through indirect jobs. The plant has a long history of export success, Morris products accounting for nearly 30 percent of the nation’s total exports by the mid 1930s. In 1950, the plant produced its 100,000th overseas model – a Morris Minor – and by 1962 BMC was shipping 320,000 examples of its annual production of 850,000 vehicles to over 170 countries, Oxford contributing a major part of that total. BMC was the UK’s biggest exporter in the early ‘60s, just as Morris had been in the ‘30s.

Plant Oxford has contributed to the industrial activities of a surprising number of far-flung countries too, by producing tens of thousands of cars for export in CKD (Completely Knocked Down) form for assembly in overseas factories. Countries that have built cars from kits include Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Cuba, East Africa, Ghana, Holland, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Malaya, Mexico, Nigeria, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad, Turkey, Uganda, Uruguay and many others. By 1967 CKD cars formed 40 percent of BMC’s exports, the kits assembled in 21 plants around the world. Morris Oxfords, Minors, MGAs, Minis, Morris 1100s and commercial vehicles were among the many models built in these distant factories. Plant Oxford’s export record is equally impressive today, no less than 1.7 million MINIs having been exported to over 100 countries since 2001.

Today, Plant Oxford forms the central element of BMW Group’s UK production network, which includes the Hams Hall engine factory in Birmingham and the Swindon pressings plant, formerly a part of Pressed Steel. The network faces a bright future as the next generation MINI family enters production over the coming years amid a trend of rising sales and exports.

The Cars Many famous cars have been produced at Plant Oxford, several of them revolutionary. Here are some highlights:

‘Bullnose’ Morris Oxford 1913-26 William Morris’s first car, actually named the Morris Oxford but known as the Bullnose because of its distinctive, rounded radiator cowling in brass. A bold series of price cuts saw Morris becoming the UK’s biggest selling marque by 1924.

Morris Minor 1928-32 A small, affordable car whose price Morris eventually cut to £100, ensuring considerable popularity. Together with the baby Austin Seven, it made the motor car significantly more attainable in Britain.

Morris Eight 1935-48 A big pre-war and post-war hit, this barrel-bodied Morris developed through several iterations and remained a common sight right into the ‘60s.

Morris Minor 1948-71 A major step ahead in handling, steering, braking and roominess, the Alec Issigonis-designed Minor was a huge success. The Minor was the first British car to sell over a million, a milestone celebrated with a limited run of Minor Millions painted in a dubious shade of lilac. It was sold as a saloon, a semi-timbered Traveller estate, a convertible, a van and a pick-up.

Morris Oxford III 1956-58 The ‘50s Oxford was a family car staple of the Morris range, besides continuing with the model name that had started Morris off. An unremarkable car, except that it was the basis of India’s once hugely-popular Hindustan Ambassador, Morris shipping all the Oxford III tooling to the company in 1957. The Ambassador – or Amby, as it is fondly known – remains in small-scale production today.

BMC Mini 1959-69 The revolutionary Mini was another creation from Alec Issigonis, its transverse, front-wheel drive powertrain and space-efficient packaging redefining small car design. Go-kart handling soon inspired the sportier Coopers and giant-slaying, headline-making competition performances. Classless, fashionable, much-loved and widely exported, it introduced a word to the English language and became Britain’s most famous – and most produced - car. Plant Oxford manufactured it for 10 years from 1959, its counterpart Longbridge, Birmingham factory remaining the chief UK source until its demise in 2000.

BMC 1100/1300 1962-74 The second front-drive Issigonis model, essentially an enlarged Mini with Pininfarina styling and Hydrolastic fluid suspension. The most advanced small family car on sale at the time, it sold even faster than the Mini to become Britain’s best-seller for 10 years. Launched as a Morris, it was also sold as an Austin, MG, Riley, Vanden Plas and a Wolseley, and was offered in two-door, four-door and estate bodystyles.

Morris Marina 1971-80 Much derided at the time, but the Ford Cortina-bashing Marina was a top five best-seller for years despite its simple mechanicals, and a mainstay of the plant through the 1970s. Unusual for offering a coupe version that was cheaper than the saloon, it was replaced by the lightly restyled Ital in 1980, this car destined to be the last Morris. Like the Minor it replaced, the Marina achieved sales of over one million.

Triumph Acclaim 1981-84 Essentially a rebadged Honda Civic, the Acclaim was a stop-gap model that was the product of an unusual deal struck in 1979 by BL Cars and Honda. The goal was to providing BL with a new model offering between the 1980 launch of the Austin miniMetro and 1983’s Austin Maestro, the Acclaim’s Honda-designed production lines also prompting the installation of the first robots at the Oxford plant. The Acclaim was also significant for being the first Japanese car to be built in the UK, and the last Triumph. The BL-Honda partnership eventually led to the Japanese company setting up its own UK factory at Swindon.

Rover 800 1986-9/Honda Legend 1986-8 These executive cars were unusual for being the progeny of an engineering collaboration between Rover and Honda, the two sharing inner bodywork, suspensions and some drivetrains while presenting unique body and interior designs. Plant Oxford not only built the Rover 800 but for a short period, the sister Honda Legend model too. The 800 was also part of a major export initiative to the US in the mid ‘80s, under the Sterling brand name. This much deeper collaboration furthered a fruitful period in which Japanese just-in-time and continuous improvement techniques were introduced to the plant, eventually leading to significant gains in vehicle build quality.

Rover 75 1999-2000 The first and only Rover wholly developed under BMW ownership, the elegantly styled 75 saw a wholesale improvement in both quality and dynamic standards for the brand. Production transferred to Longbridge, Birmingham, after BMW sold Rover in 2000 and ended prematurely in 2005, although variations of the model live on in China as Roewes and MGs.

MINI 2001-06 The all-new MINI recalibrated the Mini as a larger, vastly more sophisticated premium supermini in an evolution that defined a new market, just as the original car did. Widely praised for styling that honoured its predecessor with contemporary and hugely appealing flair, it also won plaudits for its handling, imaginative interior design and build quality. The MINI also introduced personalisation on a scale never before seen in a small car, firing the gun on a trend now widely copied. It exceeded its sales targets from the start – unlike the classic Mini – and was joined by a Convertible in 2002.

MINI 2006 to date The next generation MINI hatch further refined the 2001 concept with more space, more sophistication, more advanced engines – now mainly UK-built – more equipment and more choice. This was expanded considerably by the introduction of the Clubman estate in 2007, the Coupé and Roadster in 2012 and the Clubvan in the same year. A renewed version of the highly popular Convertible appeared in 2007.

Article Offline Attachments.

• MINI Plant Oxford – A century of car-making. PDF, EN, 98.81 KB

Article Media Material.

Bmw group streaming, auto china 2024..

Beijing. 24/25 April 2024.

Here you can see the Webcasts of the BMW Group Night and Press Conference at the Auto China 2024; with the World Premieres of the new MINI Aceman and the new BMW i4.

CO2 emission information.

Latest facts & figures., further news for: production, recycling, related videos., add your filter tags..

2-Hour MINI Plant Guided Group Tour

• Tour equipment, tour head-sets, hi-viz vests, safety glasses will be made available for the duration of your tour.
• Entry/Admission - Oxford
• MINI Visitor Centre, MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK The MINI Visitor Centre can be accessed from the Eastern By-Pass Road via gate 5 or Horspath Road via gate 7. You can enter the postcode OX4 6NL into your GPS or follow the brown signs on the ring road.
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Near public transportation
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
• Most travelers can participate
• The tour is unfortunately not suitable for visitors with a pacemaker or insulin pump.
• Cochlear implants and hearing aids can be accommodated, please make your tour guide aware at the start of your tour if you have a cochlear implant or hearing aid.
• Footwear. Please wear sensible and comfortable footwear, which is not open-toed. No heeled footwear is permitted.
• Minimum age. The minimum age is 10 and every 2 children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Filming and photographing is strictly prohibited in the production areas. Cameras and mobile phones may to be used and can be place in lockers.
• Belongings. All personal belongings including bags and mobile phones will be locked away for the duration of the tour as these are not permitted in production areas.
• Distance. The plant tours lead through different production and plant site areas. The distance covered is 3.5 km. Please wear comfortable and closed shoes.
• Food & drink. You can purchase soft drinks from the vending machine located in the Visitor Centre. Please note that no food or beverages may be taken on the plant tour. Visitors are not able to buy food at the plant.
• No animals. Pets and animals of any kid are not allowed.
• Arrival time. Please arrive at the MINI Visitor Centre 15 minutes before the start of your tour.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at MINI Visitor Centre MINI Plant Oxford, Oxford OX4 6NL, UK The MINI Visitor Centre can be accessed from the Eastern By-Pass Road via gate 5 or Horspath Road via gate 7. You can enter the postcode OX4 6NL into your GPS or follow the brown signs on the ring road. See address & details
• 1 MINI Plant Oxford Stop: 2 hours - Admission included Come with us on a journey through more than 100 years of Oxford's car building history and take a behind the scenes look at how we produce over 1,000 unique, made-to-order MINIs every day. Our award-winning guided tours will take you on an adventure through our state of the art production facilities, where a new MINI is built every 67 seconds. Your MINI adventure will start at the Visitor Centre with a brief factory history and heath&safety, followed by a visit to the body shop and the assembly hall. Read more
• You'll return to the starting point

More to explore in Oxford

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

2-Hour MINI Plant Guided Group Tour - with unbiased reviews