The MINI make will plow fifty on 26 August 2009. Fifty years ago to the solar day, the British Motor Corporation (BMC) unveiled the event of its quest to pattern a new and revolutionary meaty machine.The very showtime sales brochures praised the Morris Mini-Minor'due south "extraordinary hereafter hope".

Fifty years after, we know that few vehicle concepts have survived as long or achieved such popularity. No other vehicle has ever spawned such a broad range of variants as the Mini.

Concluding year's MINI E premiere was definitely i of the highlights of MINI's long history, fulfilling its future promise in a way that no one could have foreseen 50 years ago.

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Reducing fuel consumption was already becoming an important issue for vehicle developers 50 years agone. Back in 1956 the Suez crisis and petrol rationing were major factors for the automobile industry. BMC direction gave designer Alec Issigonis the following guidelines: the Mini must make creative use of the limited infinite bachelor; accommodate four passengers; and guarantee perfect handling and low fuel consumption.

By 1962 – within iii years of its market launch – Mini production already exceeded 200,000 vehicles a yr. Once the earth'south rich and famous (Peter Sellers, the Beatles, Brigitte Bardot, Clint Eastwood, Lord Snowdon, Twiggy…) adopted the Mini every bit their preferred urban center car, it rapidly became the symbol of an entire generation. Over the next xl years the Mini became an icon – a make with a unique tradition and amuse that appealed to all ages.

Brand re-launch
Following its acquisition of Rover in March 1994, the BMW Grouping decided to revive the MINI brand tradition and continue writing Mini's history: The new MINI was to create a unique premium make with unmistakeable charisma and excellent product qualities in the compact segment – respecting its history, only at the same time meeting the needs of its present customers. The brand was successfully re-launched cheers to consistent positioning every bit a premium global brand and a clear focus on its new target customers. The re-launch relied upon excellent product qualities and a modern design that paid tribute to its earlier iconic status. Communications also give the make a consistent global contour, or to be more precise, a unique MINI feeling: MINI non just equally an A-to-B car – just as an expression of an outgoing and spontaneous lifestyle, with "enthusiasm" at the very heart of the MINI brand.

MINI as a pillar of the BMW Group
Since the MINI brand'due south conquering by the BMW Group, it has become an important chemical element in the BMW portfolio. MINI sales accept increased every year since 2002, with more than 232,000 MINI brand vehicles sold in 2008. The Us was the single largest market for MINI cars last twelvemonth. To date almost one.5 million vehicles have been sold worldwide since the "New MINI" was launched in 2001. Its characteristic combination of driving fun, individualistic style and premium quality has led to rising sales on all continents in recent years. This unique premium compact car is now sold in eighty countries around the world, with Brazil condign its newest market in 2009. The MINI brand has come of age and become an important pillar of the BMW Grouping in virtually all international markets.

Like the residue of the automobile industry, MINI has been unable to escape the furnishings of the global economic crisis this year. However, past July 2009, with deliveries up 0.iii%, sales of MINI brand vehicles were already slightly higher than in July of the previous year at 19,281 vehicles. The new MINI Convertible in particular, which has been available since late March, has given sales a heave. Final month, the brand reported its best July sales ever in Federal republic of germany (3,207/ +16.1%). On the international markets, 120,813 MINI cars were sold in the year to the end of July.

Production Triangle
The BMW Grouping has invested more than 380 1000000 British pounds in the MINI plant in Oxford since 2001, every bit well as a farther 100 million pounds in the Hams Hall and Swindon production facilities which besides grade function of the MINI Production Triangle. The MINI plant in Oxford is currently jointly manufacturing the MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible models. It is likewise producing the extremely sporty MINI John Cooper Works, MINI John Cooper Works Clubman and MINI John Cooper Works Convertible models. Around 1.24 million of the one.5 1000000 MINI vehicles and so far built in Oxford were based on the traditional torso pattern of the standard difficult-roofed two-door version. The Oxford constitute has likewise produced some 179,000 MINI Convertibles, likewise as 79,000 MINI Clubman. If these figures are added to sales of the archetype Mini, the brand can claim to have sold 6.8 one thousand thousand vehicles worldwide.

Outlook
The MINI 50 Camden and MINI fifty Mayfair birthday editions will make their world debut at the IAA 2009, where further product surprises expect visitors. To mark its 50th birthday, the MINI presence volition focus on the brand's 50-year success story. Visitors volition exist greeted by an oversized "What a Altogether. Information technology'southward MINI." imprint. With its MINI, MINI Clubman and MINI Convertible versions, the brand's potential is far from exhausted. Ventures into other vehicle segments are some other appealing prospect for its designers. While the MINI Crossover Concept may appear to be a typical example of the MINI design philosophy – it is also a new model version without historical roots that tin can have the brand to a whole new dimension. The market launch of the MINI Crossover is scheduled for 2010.

[Source: BMW ]