The new managing director of the Cowley Mini plant has stressed the importance of removing the bridleway which cuts across the site.

Speaking to the Oxford Mail before an official ceremony to welcome him into the hot seat, Oliver Zipse welcomed the move by Oxfordshire County Council to apply to magistrates for the path to be blocked.

He said: "The bridleway splits the plant in two and if we wanted to expand the paintshop, we couldn't at the moment because it would go right through it.

"If it remains, it would restrict development at the plant."

Mr Zipse said it would also not be possible to introduce a direct rail link into the plant from Swindon, where the body shells are made, should the public right of way remain.

He added: "We would like to have a rail connection from Swindon, the main reason being efficiency.

"It is also an environmental issue as we would like to transport more cars by rail."

Mr Zipse, 42, has been in charge at the plant since last month, when he took over from Dr Anton Heiss, who has moved to Regensburg in Germany.

And he has set out his plans for the near future with the launch of a new estate model within the next 18 months.

He said: "We will prepare for the new derivative which will bring a unique, exciting product into the marketplace.

"We are also very confident the year will show new sales and production records."

The previous record of just over 200,000 cars was set in 2005.

Last year's total was limited by work at the plant to make way for the second generation of the car, launched in November.

The plant now has a capacity of 240,000 cars which it is hoped will be reached in the "medium term".

Mr Zipse dismissed talk of a second factory site for the Mini.

He added: "What is important is the car's British heritage. Cowley will always be the home of Mini production."

Mr Zipse, who has settled in Oxford with his Japanese wife Kaori and sons Yuki, 11, and 10-year-old Kenzo, said he wished to meet as many people as possible, especially within the local community.

He said: "Oxford is one of the best places in the world to live and work."