Mini Cooper

MINI is a British automotive brand specializing in compact cars and has been a subsidiary of BMW since 1994. The brand’s story began in 1959 with the launch of iconic small cars by the British Motor Corporation — models such as the Morris Mini-Minor, Austin Seven, Countryman, Moke, 1275GT, and Clubman. Thanks to a partnership with legendary racer John Cooper, the sportier versions of MINI carried the Cooper name.

Production of the classic two-door MINI continued until 2000. Development of its successor began in 1995, and in 2001, a new generation MINI was introduced. Today’s lineup includes the three-door hatchbacks (Hardtop/Hatch/Convertible), the Clubman estate, the Countryman crossover, as well as the Coupe, Roadster, and Paceman.

The MINI brand has a complex history — from the British Motor Corporation to British Leyland, then becoming part of Rover Group, which was acquired by BMW in 1994. When Rover Group was broken up in 2000, BMW retained the MINI brand. Main models are produced at BMW’s Oxford plant in England, while the Countryman and Paceman are assembled by Magna Steyr in Austria.

MINI has achieved significant success in motorsport: it won the Monte Carlo Rally three times — in 1964, 1965, and 1967, and since 2011, has participated in the World Rally Championship (WRC). In 2013, Peter Schwarzenbauer became the head of the MINI brand, succeeding Jochen Goller. In 2012, a total of 301,526 MINI vehicles were sold worldwide.