from motorauthority.com:

BMW's version of the MINI is an unusual vehicle, and it's built in unusual places. Currently, many MINIs are built in the Oxford, England plant that's most closely tied to the brand's heritage. But the Countryman and Paceman are made under contract by Magna Steyr in in Graz, Austria. The latter arrangement will end in 2016, moving some production to the brand's Oxford plant and some to a new partnership with VDL NedCar in the Netherlands.
Bringing some of the Paceman and Countryman production to Oxford will mark renewed output for the world's third-oldest car plant. With over 100 years of cars rolling through its doors, the Oxford plant was once known as the British Motor Corporation's Cowley plant. It was previously the production site of Morris Motors, Austin, Austin Healey, MG, Riley, Vanden Plas, Wolseley, Triumph, and even Honda, as well as the original Mini brand.

A statement released by Magna revealed the decision to move MINI production away, but followed it up with news that other BMW models will be built at the site. Which models Magna will build for BMW beyond 2016 isn't yet clear, though it's expected to cover up to 100,000 vehicles over a six to seven-year period. In the past, BMW has contracted Magna to build the X3 in addition to the MINI Paceman and Countryman.

Production of the Paceman and Countryman will be divided between the Oxford plant and the VDL Nedcar plant in the Netherlands, reports the Kleine Zeitung, via Automotive News (sub. req.). The move shouldn't make too much difference for MINI buyers, though there will be the usual matters of quality control, ramp-up and supply to deal with when starting a new production line or bringing in a new factory. There will be some overlap, however, with production at the NedCar plant set to start later this year.

 

Thanks, I did not hear about that move. The Austria plant is an outsourced factory producing many brands including Mercedes G class, Audi/VW, and BMWs SUVs in past. This is good news and means that the CM/PM is staying. BMW used that plant for the X3 for years until they moved it their own plant. When I toured the Oxford plant the conveyor belt handled all models one after another except the CM/PM. I am not sure how they could fit the wider frame in their existing plant.


GRAZ, Austria, January 30, 2014 – Magna International today announced that its Magna Steyr operating unit will continue its collaboration with the BMW Group through a new vehicle manufacturing contract for its facility in Graz, Austria. The new production program would start following the end of production of the current MINI models MINI Countryman and MINI Paceman being assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz. Further information will be communicated at a later date.

“This new contract with the BMW Group exemplifies our customer’s confidence in Magna Steyr to deliver world class manufacturing excellence and flexibility,” said Günther Apfalter, President Magna Steyr & Magna International Europe. “We are pleased to secure this contract which allows Magna Steyr to maintain its position as a leader in contract vehicle manufacturing.”

Magna Steyr has been a strategic vehicle assembly partner of the BMW Group since its first manufacturing contract for the BMW X3 which started in 2003. Currently Magna Steyr is manufacturing for the BMW Group the MINI Paceman and the MINI Countryman, the latter of which celebrated a milestone in 2013 with 250,000 vehicles produced since start of production in 2010.