PressClub Asia · Article.
ReBorn in the Netherlands.
Wed May 15 03:49:27 CEST 2013 Press Release
VDL Nedcar employees restore the first Mini built in the Netherlands in 1959.
Press Contact.
Daniel Chan
BMW Group
Tel: +65-6838-9639
Fax: +65-6838-9611
send an e-mail
ReBorn in the Netherlands.
VDL Nedcar employees restore the first Mini built in the Netherlands in 1959.
Munich/Rijswijk. Today VDL Nedcar employees started the restoration of one of the first Dutch Minis. This classic Mini – one of the oldest Minis in the world – was assembled in 1959 at Molenaar’s Car Factory in Amersfoort, Holland and is now being completely rebuilt by a team of five VDL Nedcar employees.
They were selected from the pool of 1,500 VDL Nedcar employees who will be involved in the future production of MINI at VDL Nedcar in Born. The plant is currently in preparation for MINI contract manufacturing starting in the second half of 2014. It makes MINI the only car brand that will be in series production in the Netherlands.
MINI built in the Netherlands. For the second time in history this British icon will be produced in the Netherlands. From its year of introduction (1959) up until 1966 the importer J.J. Molenaar’s Car Companies in Amersfoort assembled over 4,000 Minis. BMW Group Netherlands initiated a search for one such Mini built in the Netherlands.
Having found this Classic Mini, VDL Nedcar reacted enthusiastically and put together the restoration team, made up of a bodywork builder, a welder, a painter, an engine specialist and a project manager.
Before the end of this year the genuine Dutch Mini ought to be reborn in the same factory in which a new generation of Dutch MINIs will be produced in the second half of 2014. The restoration process may be followed every step of the way on MINI’s Dutch Facebook page.
After the start of the MINI production in Born this oldest of Dutch Minis can be seen at VDL Nedcar. The Mini - officially recognized by the international 1959 Mini Register – will then be put in a prominent place in the Dutch factory as a token of the 1,500 employees’ pride.
For any queries, please contact:
Corporate Communications
Carolijn Goes, BMW Group Nederland, Corporate Communications
Telephone: +31 70-413-3108, Fax: +31 70-413-3268
E-Mail: Carolijn.goes@mini.nl
Andreas Lampka, Head of Communications MINI
Telephone: +49 89-382-23662, Fax: +49 89-382-20626
E-Mail: andreas.lampka@mini.com
Internet: www.press.bmwgroup.com
The BMW Group
The BMW Group is the leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles in the world with its BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brands. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 28 production and assembly facilities in 13 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2012, the BMW Group sold about 1.85 million cars and more than 117,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the financial year 2012 was euro 7.82 billion on revenues amounting to euro 76.85 billion. At 31 December 2012, the BMW Group had a workforce of 105,876 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been built on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy. As a result of its efforts, the BMW Group has been ranked industry leader in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes for the last eight years.
www.bmwgroup.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/BMWGroup
Twitter: http://twitter.com/BMWGroup
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/BMWGroupview
Google+: http://googleplus.bmwgroup.com