MINI marks 25 years of modern production

2026 marks a major milestone for MINI as the iconic brand celebrates 25 years since production of the modern MINI began under BMW Group – a quarter century defined by innovation, design and unmistakable British spirit.

A look back at the history of the modern MINI

The first new generation MINI rolled off the line at Plant Oxford on 26th April 2001, marking the start of a new chapter for a car that was already firmly established as a cultural icon. With its unique place in British life, from city streets to cinema screens, MINI has spent the past 25 years building on that legacy, combining heritage with modern innovation and driving fun, winning the hearts of millions of drivers worldwide.

Over the past 25 years, modern MINI production has evolved across four model generations, spanning a range of body styles including the original 3-door, 5-door, Roadster, Coupe, Clubman, Clubvan and Convertible. In total, 4,671,664 MINIs have now been built in Britain since 2001.

The production of the modern MINI

MINI’s modern era has been powered by its UK production heartland. At the centre of that story are two UK manufacturing hubs: Plant Oxford, the home of MINI production, and BMW Group Plant Swindon, where thousands of precision-engineered body panels are crafted every day.

Together, these two sites form the foundation of every MINI made in Britain, distributed to more than 100 markets worldwide. They represent one of the UK’s most significant automotive manufacturing hubs, with a workforce of more than 3,000 highly skilled people producing around 800 MINIs a day. At Plant Oxford, a new MINI drives off the production line every 78 seconds.

Plants Oxford and Swindon have been at the heart of their communities for a very long time – 113 and 70 years respectively. In recent years, Plant Oxford has become a must-see tourist destination with over 17,500 MINI fans enjoying the award-winning Plant Tours in 2025 alone.

The wider production story took another important step in 2006 when BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire began producing engines for the MINI, with more than 4.6 million engines produced for the Oxford-built models.

Markus Grüneisl, CEO, BMW (UK) Manufacturing Ltd said “This 25-year milestone is a proud moment for MINI and for everyone involved in its production here in the UK. From the very beginning, our plants in Oxford and Swindon have been at the heart of MINI’s global success, combining exceptional craftsmanship with innovation. Above all, it is our people – their creativity, expertise and pride in what they do – that continue to make MINI so special.”

To mark this milestone, MINI is unveiling 25 facts for 25 years, celebrating the people, places and production moments that have defined a quarter century of modern MINI manufacturing.