MINI - Made In Oxford And Online
Published: 12th December 2002
The module’s breadth of information is unique within the industry and includes interviews with staff, interactive games and a 12-minute time-lapse video that shows the whole build process from start to finish.
Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager for MINI, said, " The MINI manufacturing module further expands our relationship with MINI owners. New MINI owners can get acquainted with their car before it arrives and continue to keep informed of what’s going on at MINI’s home."
There are six sections of the Oxford module: Location, Precision, Care, Uniqueness, Individuality and Teamwork. Each section offers an insight into specific areas of the production process. For example, the Individuality section reveals that with the number of varying standard specifications and over 50 interchangeable options, only 10 new MINIs could be identical after the one millionth leaves the production line. Precision introduces ‘Perceptron’ cameras, a laser measuring system that checks the bodyshell of the MINI to ensure its dimensions are accurate and has a tolerance of up to 0.05 mm (about half of the width of a human hair).
Interactive Technology Offline
MINI Messenger is a new traffic warning device, jointly developed with Trafficmaster, that constantly monitors traffic flow within a 20-mile radius of the car. Once installed, users receive a lifetime subscription to the service.
Using information collated from 7,500 sensors across the
UK, the Messenger button on the dashboard lights up when congestion
is detected and drivers are alerted to traffic problems by
spoken warnings through the sound system. The traffic report
confirms the current position of the vehicle, where the congestion
is and in what direction as well as the expected delay time.
The system works through the standard sound system and costs
£400.00 as an option, and £360.00 as an accessory
excluding fitting.
