MINI Turns Fifty

One of the brands who made history since their release is in celebration today. On May 8, 50 years ago, the first MINI, because this is the brand we are talking about, rolled off the assembly line from the then Cowley plant. To mark the event, MINI will return to the place it was born.

The plant, now called Plant Oxford, has built 602,812 vehicles between 1959 and 1968, the year in which production was moved to Longbridge. But since it is MINI's birthday, let's honor it by telling you that in 50 years, the brand sold some six million vehicles, both from the classic and the new lines.

“Anniversaries are always a wonderful opportunity to look back at the past. But on days like today, it’s also good to look to the future. Therefore, our objective is absolutely clear: We are going to continue the success story of MINI and continue to strengthen it," Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW Group member of the board said in a release.

To mark the anniversary, independent publishing house Faber and Faber will release a book in honor of the MINI. Called “MINI: The True and Secret History of the Making of a Motorcar", it tells you the story of how and why the brand came to be.

What about the next fifty years? Frank-Peter Arndt said: "Where will it be in 10, 20 or even another 50 years’ time? Perhaps it’s rather ambitious to look that far ahead, but one thing is certain, MINI is a brand not only with a great tradition, but also a fantastic future.”

We surely hope so. Happy birthday, MINI!

Events are scheduled to take place in honor of the MINI throught the month and the world, so keep an eye out for our reports.