Mini job losses: inside the Cowley factory

This is a typical scene on the Mini production line at Cowley, Oxford, where workers were hit by the news of 850 job cuts this morning Photograph: David Levene

The new Mini has been produced in Cowley since the classic small car was relaunched in 2001 Photograph: David Levene

The new Mini is one of the British car industry's recent success stories, even though the plant is now owned by BMW. The one millionth model was sold in April 2007, since when the production rate has accelerated Photograph: David Levene

BMW has spent about £380m to improve the plant, and it now turns out 240,000 Minis per year Photograph: David Levene

Cars have been produced on the Cowley site for almost 100 years. William Morris of Morris Motors set up an early car factory there in 1912, on the site of a disused military base Photograph: David Levene

BMW is thought to be the largest private employer in Oxfordshire, but today's job cuts have angered union leaders. They claim the firm would not be able to treat German workers in the same way Photograph: David Levene

The new Mini is now sold in more than 70 countries - a fact that's hard to miss if you drive past the factory, where a huge banner shows the flags of each country Photograph: David Levene

America is the biggest market for Minis, followed by the UK and Germany Photograph: David Levene

The front of a semi-assembled car at the Cowley plant Photograph: David Levene

A car rotated 90 degrees as it makes its way down the Mini production line Photograph: David Levene

Angry workers reportedly pelted management with fruit when the job cuts were announced. Some were furious that they were only given one hour's warning that they were being laid off Photograph: David Levene

Sales of Minis held up well last year, but plunged in January as the economic crisis drove potential buyers away Photograph: David Levene

Weekend work will cease at the Cowley plant from 2 March following today's announcement. Management have insisted that the company could not avoid the consequences of the recession, but the Bishop of Oxford has called the job losses 'a personal tragedy for those who have contributed to the success of the Mini brand' Photograph: David Levene

Workers make finishing touches to a car on BMW's Mini production line at their factory in Cowley, Oxford Photograph: David Levene

Sales were down sharply across the car industry last year, putting all manufacturers under pressure. Jaguar LandRover announed 450 job cuts last month Photograph: David Levene

These semi-assembled cars may have a long wait before they are driven away by a new owner, unless the economic climate improves Photograph: David Levene

The government recently launched a rescue package for the auto industry, but analysts still fear the sector faces many months of pain before shiny new cars are in demand again Photograph: David Levene