Despite seemingly strong demand in 2008 for its efficient Mini unit, BMW cut 850 jobs and reduced production at its British factory to cope with what the automaker says is weakening demand. The automaker will cut its weekend assembly shift to cope with the 35 percent drop in sales it experienced last month globally.
“While Mini has been weathering the economic downturn, it is not immune from the challenges of the current situation,” BMW said in a statement.
Sales were up 5 percent overall in 2008, but January hit the automaker hard – as it did for nearly every automaker across the globe. Mini exports about 80 percent of its production.
