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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brown helps launch the new Mini | Brown helps launch the new Mini |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Chancellor Gordon Brown has visited BMW's Cowley factory in Oxford to see the start of production of the firm's second-generation Mini. | Chancellor Gordon Brown has visited BMW's Cowley factory in Oxford to see the start of production of the firm's second-generation Mini. |
| Praising the staff, he said the ongoing success of the Mini was an example of how Britain "can compete and succeed in the global economy". | Praising the staff, he said the ongoing success of the Mini was an example of how Britain "can compete and succeed in the global economy". |
| Since the first Mini was made at Cowley in 2001, the plant has steadily boosted output, hitting 200,000 cars last year. | Since the first Mini was made at Cowley in 2001, the plant has steadily boosted output, hitting 200,000 cars last year. |
| The new Mini comes after Nissan said it will build a new model in Sunderland. | The new Mini comes after Nissan said it will build a new model in Sunderland. |
| Nissan announced last week that it is to build a new small 4x4 car called the Qashqai at the plant alongside existing production of its Almeira, Primera and Micra models. | Nissan announced last week that it is to build a new small 4x4 car called the Qashqai at the plant alongside existing production of its Almeira, Primera and Micra models. |
| Engine boost | Engine boost |
| BMW's decision to make the new Mini in Oxford is creating an additional 200 jobs. | BMW's decision to make the new Mini in Oxford is creating an additional 200 jobs. |
| This is a great day for Mini, a great day for BMW, and it's a great day for Oxford and a great day for Britain Gordon Brown The new Mini in pictures | |
| The trade union convenor at the Cowley plant, Bernard Moss, said BMW had now invested close to £1bn on Mini production facilities in the UK. | The trade union convenor at the Cowley plant, Bernard Moss, said BMW had now invested close to £1bn on Mini production facilities in the UK. |
| BMW is now also producing the petrol engines for the Mini in the UK at a plant in Warwickshire, after they were previously made in Brazil. | BMW is now also producing the petrol engines for the Mini in the UK at a plant in Warwickshire, after they were previously made in Brazil. |
| Almost one-in-six cars sold by BMW is now a Mini. | Almost one-in-six cars sold by BMW is now a Mini. |
| "This is a great day for Mini, a great day for BMW, and it's a great day for Oxford and a great day for Britain," said Mr Brown. | |
| "The production of the new Mini will bring jobs, lead to investment and bring prosperity to our economy. | |
| "It is an exciting symbol of a growing and dynamic economy across Europe." |