This week is significant in British automotive history – it marks the 100th anniversary of car manufacturing beginning in Oxford.
The first car to emerge from Oxford back in 1913 was the ‘Bullnose’ Morris Oxford, a car that helped Morris to become the UK’s biggest selling marque. Today, Plant Oxford stands a few hundred yards from that site established by William Morris in 1913, which was previously the site of the former Oxford Military College. The production methods and technology may have changed, but the city is still synonymous with exporting globally-successful cars.
To begin with just 20 cars were built in the factory each week. Today, the plant turns out up to 900 cars every day. These days much of the manufacturing at the Cowley plant is carried out by robots.
The plant has passed through many custodians throughout the 100 years, including British Leyland, British Aerospace and today’s owners, BMW Group. And has produced some of Britain's most popular and well-loved cars. Significantly, the Morris Minor enjoyed a remarkable production span of 23 years from 1948 to 1971. In doing so it became the first British car to sell a million.
The Mini has a long history at the Oxford plant. The first Mini, was produced at Cowley on May 8, 1959. The new BMW Mini first emerged from the production line in 2001. Currently the Mini hatchback, Convertible, Clubman, Clubvan, Roadster and Coupé are all built at the factory.
At OISE Oxford we wish happy birthday to Plant Oxford and the 3,700 people who work there, happy manufacturing for the next 100 years.
Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/9954964/Oxford-plant-famous-for-producing-Mini-celebrates-100-years-of-car-making.html
http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/it%E2%80%99s-a-mini-celebration-happy-100th-birthday-to-plant-oxford
The first car to emerge from Oxford back in 1913 was the ‘Bullnose’ Morris Oxford, a car that helped Morris to become the UK’s biggest selling marque. Today, Plant Oxford stands a few hundred yards from that site established by William Morris in 1913, which was previously the site of the former Oxford Military College. The production methods and technology may have changed, but the city is still synonymous with exporting globally-successful cars.
To begin with just 20 cars were built in the factory each week. Today, the plant turns out up to 900 cars every day. These days much of the manufacturing at the Cowley plant is carried out by robots.
The plant has passed through many custodians throughout the 100 years, including British Leyland, British Aerospace and today’s owners, BMW Group. And has produced some of Britain's most popular and well-loved cars. Significantly, the Morris Minor enjoyed a remarkable production span of 23 years from 1948 to 1971. In doing so it became the first British car to sell a million.
The Mini has a long history at the Oxford plant. The first Mini, was produced at Cowley on May 8, 1959. The new BMW Mini first emerged from the production line in 2001. Currently the Mini hatchback, Convertible, Clubman, Clubvan, Roadster and Coupé are all built at the factory.
At OISE Oxford we wish happy birthday to Plant Oxford and the 3,700 people who work there, happy manufacturing for the next 100 years.
Sources:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/motoringvideo/9954964/Oxford-plant-famous-for-producing-Mini-celebrates-100-years-of-car-making.html
http://cars.uk.msn.com/news/it%E2%80%99s-a-mini-celebration-happy-100th-birthday-to-plant-oxford
