BMW acquired MINI in 1996 and has owned it since then. MINI actually began, not as its own brand, but as model names for two different brands: the Austin Mini and Morris Mini. These brands were made by the same manufacturer: Leyland.

In 1969, the MINI brand was started and produced by the Rover Group, previously known as BL until 2000. BMW MINI Cooper came to be after the purchase of MINI in 1996. But, who manufactures MINI Cooper? BMW!

Around the world, the MINI phenomenon has been reborn. Proof that great fuel efficiency, an almost limitless range of customization, incredibly tight handling and an undeniably cheeky personality are truly timeless qualities.

The Mini came about because of a fuel shortage caused by the 1956 Suez Crisis. Petrol was once again rationed in the UK, sales of large cars slumped, and the market for German bubble cars boomed, even in countries such as the United Kingdom, where imported cars were still a rarity.

Oxford, England WHERE ARE MINIS BUILT? MINI's manufacturing home is in Oxford, England, on the same site where cars have been produced for over 100 years. In addition to Plant Oxford, some MINI vehicles are assembled at the VDL NedCar plant in the city of Born in the Netherlands, and at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.

The original Mini was a line of British small cars manufactured by the British Motor Corporation (BMC), which in 1966 became part of British Motor Holdings. This merged with Leyland Motors in 1968 to form British Leyland.

Oxford, England WHERE ARE MINIS BUILT? MINI's manufacturing home is in Oxford, England, on the same site where cars have been produced for over 100 years. In addition to Plant Oxford, some MINI vehicles are assembled at the VDL NedCar plant in the city of Born in the Netherlands, and at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.

The Mini Cooper is fun to drive and has plenty of head- and legroom up front. This version uses a small four-cylinder engine, paired with a slick manual, a CVT in early versions, or a responsive six-speed automatic. Handling is agile, with quick, precise steering and very little body roll.

In general, the Cooper trim gives each Mini model more equipment as standard, more power and a slightly sportier look than Mini's less-expensive trim levels. You can also identify Cooper trim by looking at the car's technical details.

The most popular Mini model worldwide was the fully-electric MINI Cooper SE, which almost doubled sales (plus 98.2 percent). 34 851 units of the MINI Cooper SE were sold worldwide last year - a third of all 3-door Minis. In addition, 18 392 units of the MINI Cooper SE Countryman ALL4 were sold.

MINI's manufacturing home is in Oxford, England, on the same site where cars have been produced for over 100 years. In addition to Plant Oxford, some MINI vehicles are assembled at the VDL NedCar plant in the city of Born in the Netherlands, and at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.

The Mini Cooper is fun to drive and has plenty of head- and legroom up front. This version uses a small four-cylinder engine, paired with a slick manual, a CVT in early versions, or a responsive six-speed automatic. Handling is agile, with quick, precise steering and very little body roll.

Mini Annual Sales and Market Share

Mini has managed to establish a small but stable foothold in the US since its introduction in the early 2000s, and has consistently sold between 40k and 65k each year since 2006, before dropping below that mark in 2019 as small cars are losing popularity in the States.

MINI's manufacturing home is in Oxford, England, on the same site where cars have been produced for over 100 years. In addition to Plant Oxford, some MINI vehicles are assembled at the VDL NedCar plant in the city of Born in the Netherlands, and at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria.

The Mini Clubman, Coupe and Roadster are assembled at BMW's Plant Oxford in Cowley, England. The Mini Convertible and Countryman are assembled at VDL Nedcar in Born (Netherlands). The Mini 3-door Hatch/Hardtop is assembled at both plants, with the 5-door being exclusively assembled at Oxford.