BMW Group Plant Oxford Launches Production of the Fifth Generation MINI Cooper

The fifth generation MINI Cooper is the newest addition to the MINI family, combining tradition and innovation.

Oxford March 11, 2024 marks the start of production for the new, fifth-generation MINI Cooper at the BMW Group Plant Oxford. To celebrate the occasion, Head of MINI, Stefanie Wurst and Charlie Cooper, grandson of the legendary John Cooper, joined associates at the BMW Group Plant Oxford for a special on-site event. During the celebration, Charlie Cooper drove off the production line in the first three-door model, paying homage to the heritage that inspired the Cooper moniker. Stefanie Wurst commented on the start of production, saying that “this milestone underscores the commitment to our roots while propelling us into a dynamic future of driving.”

The new MINI Cooper is the latest MINI generation to be built in the UK, with all three BMW Group UK manufacturing sites contributing to production: The BMW Group Plant Swindon produces body pressings and sub-assemblies, while the latest highly-efficient three and four-cylinder petrol engines are built at the BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire. Finally, these parts come together at the BMW Group Plant Oxford where body shell production, paint, and final assembly take place.

Since the launch of the first modern MINI in 2001, over 4.4 million MINIs have been produced in Britain – including 150,000 MINI Electric models which were built between 2019 and 2023. With its high level of flexibility, competitiveness, and expertise, the BMW Group Plant Oxford is a crucial part of the BMW Group’s production network and is currently preparing to build two new all-electric MINI models starting in 2026. The BMW Group will then have invested a total of more than 3 billion GBP in the Swindon, Hams Hall, and Oxford plants.

The new MINI Cooper is the third member of the new MINI family, joining the MINI Cooper Electric and the new MINI Countryman. The new model merges traditional brand values with innovative, future-oriented technology and is available in two model variants: the MINI Cooper C and the performance-enhanced MINI Cooper S. A highlight of the new MINI Cooper is the minimalistic interior, with the entire cockpit focussing on just three elements: a revolutionary circular OLED display, the new Vescin steering wheel, and the toggle bar. Priced from £22,300 RRP, the MINI Cooper will have its first customer deliveries in spring 2024.