The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine will be dispatched to the company’s Oxford Mini plant for fitting to a car destined for the Indian market.
Plant director Nick Spencer said: “This is a fantastic milestone for us. Our 800-strong workforce is proud to be playing important roles within BMW Group’s global production network.”
For over a decade the plant at Hams Hall, near Birmingham, has built small, fuel-efficient engines. In November 2011, the company announced that the facilities at the engine plant would be upgraded as part of a £500m investment by BMW in its UK Mini production operations.
Business minister Mark Prisk said: “BMW’s three-millionth engine in a Mini, a car that is now exported to 100 countries, is emblematic of the current success of the UK auto sector.”
UK automotive exports were up 15% at an all time high of £29.5 billion in 2011 and UK total engine production increased nearly 5% to 2.5 million units.
