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MINI Countryman to be built in India

MINI sells worldwide – even in the US – and, despite claims it was a step too far for the brand, the MINI Countryman has been a big hit for MINI, offering as it does most of MINI’s charm but in a bigger, more family friendly package and with the option of All4 4WD for a degree of off-road ability (well, certainly the ability to treat boot sale car parks with disdain). Now, for the first time, BMW is to build the MINI outside Europe with a new MINi assembly facility coming on stream in Chennai, India, where BMW already makes 3 and 5 Series models as well as the X1 and X3. The plan is part of BMW’s plan of ‘Production follows the market’ where BMW aim to make their cars where they’re sold, so with the MINI brand showing strong growth in India since its launch it makes sense to build them there.

Brit success story Prodrive celebrates 30 years

BRITISH race and rally specialist Prodrive is celebrating 30 years of putting drivers on the top step of the podium. The Banbury-based company first entered motorsport in January 1984 when it competed in the Qatar International Rally with a Porsche 911 SC RS. This car was driven by Saeed Al Hajri and the same car went on to be campaigned by Henri Toivenen in the European Rally Championship.

Chrysler 300 gets luxury upgrades

The Chrysler Group rolled out its latest entry for the lucrative "black car" market on Tuesday, revealing new "Luxury Series" editions of its flagship Chrysler 300 sedan that add new interiors to recent powertrain additions. The new versions feature leather-wrapped interior components. The vehicles also have heated steering wheels with special die-cast paddle shifters and wood trim, according to a Chrysler statement.