6:04pm Thursday 7th May 2009
By James Wallin
THE Mini celebrates 50 years as an iconic symbol all things British this week – and Swindon is at the heart of its modern identity.
The Swindon plant has been owned by BMW since 1994 and was given a boost as a major supplier of the new Mini, produced at the Cowley plant near Oxford.
So far the Stratton plant has survived the worst of the fallout from the slump in car production, although workers have been forced to take set holidays.
The birth of the little car came after Sir Alec Issigonis, the Turkish designer of the Morris Minor, was taken on by the British Motor Corporation in 1956. His dream of an economic but desirable car of the future was unveiled three years later, originally badged as the Austin Mini Seven or Morris Mini Minor.
The price of the first Mini was just £496, with cost-trimming measures including sliding windows and external body welds. Sir Alec, a chain-smoker, included an ashtray but, as he liked silence, no radio.
Minis featured in many films made in the ’60s and ’70s, none more popular than The Italian Job starring Michael Caine, which was released in 1969. BMW took over the production of the Mini in 1994, producing the last classic Mini in 2000, by which time 5,387,862 cars had been manufactured.
The new BMW Mini began production in 2001 and Swindon’s part in the process involves supplying Mini sub-assemblies and pressings such as doors.
More than 1,000 workers are employed at Stratton, where there are more than 100 welding robots.
The Swindon factory came into being in 1955 as the Pressed Steel factory. It changed hands many times before landing in BMW’s lap.
Councillor Derique Montaut worked there for 42 years, including 26 years as a senior shop steward. He said the role of the factory had changed over the years, but was still convinced that it was vital for the town’s economy.
Coun Montaut said: “Engineering used to be at the heart of the economy in Swindon and I believe that if that economy is going to thrive we have to retain the engineering industry. It’s extremely important to keep that in Swindon.
“The factory has seen a lot of change – and I have been involved in a lot of that. I am pleased that it still has a place in Swindon and I hope it remains that way for a long time.”
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