Mini

Mini (styled as MINI) is a British automotive marque specialised in small cars owned by BMW. Mini originated as
one specific vehicle, a small car originally known as the Morris Mini-Minor launched by the British Motor Corporation in 1959, and developed into a brand encompassing a range of small cars, including the Clubman, Traveller and Moke. The original two-door Mini continued in production until 2000.

Development of a successor began in 1995 and the new generation car (styled as MINI to differentiate it from its predecessor) was launched in 2001. The Mini range has since expanded from the core two-door Hardtop/Hatch to include the Clubman (estate), Convertible and Countryman (crossover).

The Mini Hardtop/Hatch, Clubman and Convertible are assembled at Plant Oxford in Cowley, United Kingdom, where around 4,700 people are employed. The Countryman is assembled by Magna Steyr in Austria. Engines for Mini cars are produced at the Hams Hall Plant near Birmingham, United Kingdom, which has around 800 employees. Mini sub-assemblies and pressings such as doors are supplied by a plant in Swindon, United Kingdom, where around 1,000 people are employed.[5] Minis are primarily developed in the United Kingdom by BMW's Development Division. Around 217,000 Minis were sold worldwide in 2009.

The Mini brand has had a number of owners during its history. In 1966 the British Motor Corporation became part of British Motor Holdings and in 1968 British Motor Holdings itself merged with Leyland Motors to form British Leyland. In the 1980s British Leyland was broken-up and in 1988 Rover Group, including Mini, was acquired by British Aerospace. In 1994 Rover Group was acquired by BMW. In 2000 Rover Group was broken-up by BMW, with BMW retaining the Mini brand.