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Five years on from its home market launch, the magnificent MINI is still one of
the hottest cars in Australia, figures released this week show.
The MINI first went on sale in the United Kingdom five years ago this weekend
(July 7), though the Australian launch was in March 2002.
Sales of the premium market MINI Cooper and Cooper S models reached 1,053 for
the first half of 2006, with 184 registered in June.
The MINI immediately caused a storm of interest from customers and fans alike
when the first cars reached UK showrooms in 2001. Eager customers queued to be
the first to sample the front-wheel drive marvel that delivered a new level of
quality, driving excitement and cheeky chic to the small car market.
The MINI was the first car to successfully convince customers size didn’t
count when it came to a premium product, and year-on-year sales increases have
followed consistently from 2001 to the present day.
In 2005, MINI production figures broke an all-time record with more than
200,000 cars built at the sole production facility, Plant Oxford. And now MINI
is the third largest car producer in the UK.
Justin Hocevar, National Manager, MINI in Australia said: “MINI’s instant UK
success has been mirrored around the world, from South Korea to Spain, the USA
to China and of course Australia.
“In 2006, MINI is celebrating 40 years since the classic Mini Cooper S
dominated the Great Race at Bathurst. A trio of TEAM MINI racers; MINI Cooper S
hardtops fitted with the 154 kW John Cooper Works tuning kits, are tackling
iconic motorsport events around Australia. The results to date have been
exciting, with MINI once again performing with giant-killing gusto.
“Overall, the car’s design, great driving dynamics and ownership experience
set it apart from any other car.
“Many of our owners are delighted to find they can specify so many features
of their car, from the colour of the dashboard to the choice of a white or black
or body-colour roof.
“Even our MINI Cabrio models offer a selection of three colours of fabric
roof: black, green or blue.
“Five years on, MINI is still a winning choice, with quality and safety
second-to-none,” Justin said.
Dr Anton Heiss, Managing Director BMW Group Plant Oxford, said: “It is not
just the high quality of vehicles produced here but also the customer focus and
production flexibility that have played such a major role in the car’s success.
Year-on-year we have produced record production figures.
“A 100 million pound ($250 m) investment programme currently underway will
allow us to increase production flexibility and capacity further and meet the
growing worldwide demand for MINI.”
FAST MINI FACTS
- More than 800,000 sold around the globe in over 70 markets.
- 7,762 MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models sold in Australia since March
2002.
- Eight models in the range: MINI One*, MINI One D*,
MINI Cooper, MINI
Cooper S hardtop,
MINI One Cabrio*,
MINI Cooper Cabrio,
MINI Cooper
S Cabrio and
MINI Cooper S with John Cooper Works GP Kit*.
* Not available
in Australia.
- A record 44,770 were sold in the UK last year, and a record 2,097 were sold
in Australia.
- UK is still the most popular market for MINI, with America and Germany
taking 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
- A record 200,119 were produced last year. Original predictions for
production were just 100,000 a year.
- Plant Oxford employs 4,500 people, a massive increase of 2,000 since the
first MINI rolled off the production line.
- All future MINI petrol engines will come from BMW Plant Hams Hall, based in
the Midlands.
- BMW Group Plant Swindon supplies body panels for the MINI.
- Between 2000-07, £380 million will have been invested in Plant Oxford.
- MINI is now the 3rd largest car manufacturer in the UK.
- MINI Concept London, a further modern interpretation of the Mini Traveller
of the 1960s will be shown soon, indicating how the next new addition to the
MINI range may look within three years.
- MINI has secured well over 100 awards since 2001. In 2003, MINI was the
first British-built car to win ‘North American Car of the Year’.
- In the UK, the most popular paint colour choice is Pure Silver. In
Australia, the top choice is Chilli Red.
- 300 options and accessories are available for customers to personalise their
cars. Statistically, only two out of 100,000 MINIs produced at Plant Oxford will
ever be exactly the same due to the number of options available.
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