MINI Sports Activity Vehicle will be built by Magna Steyr

Partnership in Development and Production Munich. The new MINI Sports
Activity Vehicle (SAV) will be built by Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik in
Graz, Austria. The vehicle concept, devised by MINI Design and BMW
Group engineers, has been entrusted to Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik for
series development and for later production. The cooperation with Magna
Steyr is an efficient way for BMW Group to ensure the planned
profitable growth through new model launches set out in the company's
strategic alignment. By outsourcing production of the MINI SAV, BMW
Group is able to increase flexibility within its own production
network. This allows the lead plant for MINI production in Oxford to
fully direct its midterm capacity of 260,000 units towards meeting
demand for the three core models MINI, MINI Convertible and MINI
Clubman. It is this outsourcing of MINI SAV production that makes the
extension of the MINI family possible. Frank-Peter Arndt, Head of
Production and Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, explains
the advantages: "By using Magna Steyr for production, we are able
to give our own Production Network some breathing space to respond
fully to market needs. This solution will also allow us to bring the
MINI SAV to the market as quickly as possible." Magna Steyr is an
experienced partner of BMW Group, having already produced the highly
successful BMW X3. Speaking about the new contract, Siegfried Wolf,
co-CEO of Magna International, sees this as a "huge recognition of
the work that Magna Steyr has achieved so far through its partnership
with BMW Group. Above all, I'm delighted for our employees, as this
will allow us to set another milestone in our long-running and
successful cooperation with BMW Group. As we have done before, we will
work on this vehicle programme with our fullest commitment to ensure
that we meet BMW Group's high expectations." As with all
partnerships, BMW Group itself will be steering all aspects concerning
the brand and the concept of the MINI SAV project. Thus, the majority
of the drive train development will be realised by BMW. In addition,
BMW Group will design the supply contracts with the suppliers whilst
Magna will be responsible for call-offs during series production. The
MINI designers will ensure that the vehicle will be a true MINI.
Further details about the product and production will be communicated
prior to the vehicle's market launch. For any further questions,
please contact: Corporate Communications Ralph Huber, Technology
Communications, Production phone: (+49) 89/382-68778, fax: (+49)
89/382-23927 Marc Hassinger, Business and Finance Communications phone:
(+49) 89/382-23362, fax: (+49) 89/382-24118 Internet:
www.press.bmwgroup.com e-mail: presse@bmw.de