1.5 Million New MINIs Produced

Another reason for MINI to celebrate was announced today by BMW, as the brand reached the 1.5 million unit mark, just few weeks after its 50th birthday. The milestone car rolled off Plant Oxford’s production line, in the shape of a Chilli red MINI Clubman, and will go to a British customer.

“This is a great day for the plant and a wonderful milestone to reach in the 50th birthday year of MINI. The very first classic Mini rolled off the production line here at this plant on 8 May 1959,” said Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing.

“It was wonderful to see the passion that owners feel for MINI at the car’s recent birthday celebrations at Silverstone, when 25,000 people from around the world joined the party. It is a privilege to be part of the heritage and future of this car.”

5.3 million classic Minis were built in the 41 years between 1959 and 2000, so the total when added to the new MINI volume is of 6.8 million cars.

“This is a tough time for the car industry and no business is immune from its challenges, but MINI is an extremely resilient brand with huge customer appeal and we have seen a strengthening order bank in recent months. We will launch a number of new models in the coming years and we are optimistic for the future,” Robertson was quoted as saying in a release for the press.

More than £380 million were invested by BMW Group in Plant Oxford since 2001 and a further £100 million in the Hams Hall and Swindon plants. The Group has more than 7,000 employees in the UK, and according to the company officials, it has invested more than £1 billion in the UK since 2000.