Chancellor Gordon Brown today toured the BMW plant in Cowley to see the start of production for the new Mini.
He praised the staff who built the car and said they were an example of how "Britain and modern manufacturing can compete and succeed in the global economy".
Mr Brown added that the start of production was a "great day for Britain".
And he was praised by BMW Group chairman Dr Norbert Reithofer, who said: "Chancellor, your handling of the economy has ensured the stability we need, providing the right environment for us to develop our business in the UK."
Mr Brown then met apprentices and staff on the production line.
He was accompanied by Dr Reithofer, BMW Group managing director Dr Anton Heiss, Oxford East Labour MP Andrew Smith and German ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger.
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