German owned British carmaker Mini has announced the commencement of production for the new fifth-generation Mini Cooper yesterday. The event included the rollout of the first three-door model, driven by Charlie Cooper, grandson of John Cooper. The deliveries of the new Mini Cooper are scheduled to begin from spring 2024.

In celebration of this new milestone Stefanie Wurst, Head of Mini said, “This milestone underscores our commitment to our roots while propelling us into a dynamic future of driving. Plant Oxford is the heart of the Mini brand, and today, as we witness the birth of this new chapter, we renew our pledge to craftsmanship and the thrill of motoring”.

The new Mini Cooper is the latest generation built in the UK, with contributions from BMW Group Plant Swindon and BMW Group Plant Hams Hall. The Mini Oxford plant handles body shell production, paint, and final assembly. The Mini Cooper features a distinctive exterior silhouette with clear surfaces, short overhangs, and a concise bonnet. The interior is Minimalistic, focusing on a circular OLED display, the Vescin steering wheel, and the toggle bar.

Since 2001, over 4.4 million Minis, including 150,000 Mini Electric models, have been produced in Britain. Mini Oxford plant is preparing to build two new all-electric Mini models from 2026. The BMW Group will have invested over 3 billion GBP in the Swindon, Hams Hall, and Oxford plants. The new Mini Cooper, introduced last month, joins the Mini Cooper Electric and the new Mini Countryman. It comes in two variants: the Mini Cooper C and Mini Cooper S.

Commenting on the occasion Markus Grüneisl, Head of Plants Oxford and Swindon said, “We are delighted to welcome the new Mini Cooper to our lines in both Oxford and Swindon. The new Mini Cooper is an incredibly important car for our team and UK manufacturing. We are proud to produce this iconic car, loved all over the world”.