Mini (BMW)

Mini (MINI style) is a British car brand, which specializes in small cars owned by BMW. Emerged as a mini car, small car originally known as the Morris Minor Mini, launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959 and evolved into a brand that includes a range of small cars, including the Clubman, Traveller and Moke. The original Mini continued production until 2000. Development of a series started in 1995, and the new generation of the car (organized by MINI to distinguish it from its predecessor), was launched in 2001. The current range includes the Mini Clubman (estate), convertible Countryman (crossover) and Hardtop (small family car).

Mini incorporates Cowley, Oxford, United Kingdom, where about 4700 people employed. Motors Mini cars produced in the plant in Hams Hall near Birmingham, United Kingdom, which has about 800 employees. Mini-sub-assemblies such as doors and extrusions to provide the plant in Swindon, United Kingdom, where about 1,000 people at work. Approximately 217 000 Mini sold worldwide in 2009.

Mini brand has had several owners during its history. In 1966, the British Motor Corporation has become part of British Motor Holdings in 1968 and British Motor Holdings merged with Leyland Motors to form British Leyland. In 1980, British Leyland was broken and in 1988 the Rover Group, including the Mini had been bought by British Aerospace. In 1994, BMW bought the Rover group. In 2000 the group had broken up Rover, BMW and the BMW Mini brand to keep.