(Munich/Oxford) Since its inception, the MINI brand under the BMW Group has been adhering to the credo of “focusing on basic elements and creating rich experiences”. Successfully lead the luxury small car market segment. In order to celebrate its 60th birthday, the unconventional MINI has brought various new activities to car fans around the world in the past few months, reviewing the history of this classic British brand in all innovative and fun ways. Over 60 years of history.
Now they have another reason to celebrate – the 10 millionth MINI car has officially rolled off the production line at the Oxford factory in England, where the original MINI has been produced since 1959. As soon as the 60th anniversary model came off the production line, it joined hands with the original MINI model produced by the MINI brand in 1959, and formed a fleet with 60 other vehicles produced in different years. Thousands of MINI fans celebrated with a grand birthday party at the International MINI Conference held on August 11.
This commemorative event celebrating the 60th anniversary of the brand has witnessed the uninterrupted popularity of MINI in the 21st century. In 1959, Sir Alec Issigonis, the “Father of MINI”, the genius who designed the classic Mini, laid a decisive milestone in the history of automobile development. Adhering to the concept of “creatively utilizing limited space”, the first-generation Mini model adopted a transverse engine design, equipped with a gearbox under the engine, and placed the wheels at the four corners to provide the largest interior space with the smallest volume. This design also ensures flawless handling and fuel-efficient driving characteristics, becoming the blueprint for modern small and compact vehicles. As of 2000, the global sales volume of classic Mini models has reached 5.3 million.
In 2001, MINI became one of the three independent automobile brands under the BMW Group, and achieved worldwide success. As the pioneer of the luxury small car market, MINI has attracted a growing fan base with its unique go-kart-like driving pleasure and creative use of space in a competitive market. In November 2019, the pure electric MINI Cooper SE will be put into production at the Oxford factory. In the future, personalized electric driving fun will also become a major MINI signature experience.
In the past year alone, MINI sold nearly 400,000 vehicles in 110 countries around the world, which means that the current generation of MINI is catching up with its predecessors in terms of sales. The classic MINI three-door version, MINI five-door version and MINICLUBMAN are currently being produced at the MINI Oxford factory. Nearly 1,000 MINI cars roll off the production line every day, while the MINI CABRIO and MINI COUNTRYMAN are produced by the Dutch car manufacturer VDL Nedcar.
“For all the staff, it is a matter of great pride to see tens of millions of MINI cars being produced in Oxford. Some employees’ family members even produced the first generation of MINI models here,” said Peter Weber, head of the Oxford factory , “This is a fantastic chapter in the history of MINI and a testament to the passion our customers have for this special British car.”
On the eve of the MINI off-line celebration, the MINI brand called on British car fans and MINI fans around the world to share their stories with MINI in the past 60 years on social media. The huge response brought together the featured models from each year from 1959 to 2019 to be unveiled at the MINI Oxford factory as an anniversary showpiece. The highlight of the commemorative event is the team heading to the Bristol International MINI Congress, and the original Mini with the registration number 621AOK will be the first of the team. The cars are listed in chronological order, with the 10 millionth car to follow behind the fabulous anniversary caravan.
In 1959, in Oxford, England, the world’s first Mini rolled off the production line slowly, starting a wonderful journey of more than half a century. Iconic car design, domination of rally events, and becoming a cultural pioneer all demonstrate the unique creativity of the MINI brand. Never before has a car brand been as captivating as MINI. And MINI, which is about to celebrate its 60th birthday, is still as full of energy and passion as it was when it was born. Since July, MINI has held MINI Carnival activities in five different regions in China, uniting thousands of car owners and fans to celebrate MINI’s 60th birthday. This fall, MINI will also hold a grand celebration of its 60th anniversary in China.
If the Mini in 1959 came into being under the circumstances of the oil crisis, then today, the value and significance of the MINI have far surpassed that of a car. This brand is becoming more diverse and inclusive, full of infinite imagination for the future, and these imaginations make MINI always full of personality, satisfying and influencing many consumers who love it.
