Mini has become quite a big brand in the relatively short time it has been on the market as a premium, modern automaker. With a diverse range that includes affordable models like the Mini Oxford Edition and hardcore variants like the JCW models, there's something for just about everyone. The British marque will soon be doubling down on electric vehicles too, and based on what we've seen from a special Pacesetter variant for Formula E, it seems that the brand will retain its sense of fun far into the electric age. It's all very impressive from a company that has only been back on the automotive scene for two decades.

Mini's modern story starts in Swindon, Great Britain, where production of Mini body parts began back in early 2001. A little later, on the April 26 of that year, the first new Mini rolled off the production line in Oxford. Since then, Mini has built more than five million premium cars in Great Britain. The Oxford plant continues to be in operation and is currently responsible for the three- and five-door versions of the Mini Hardtop, as well as the Mini Clubman and all-electric Mini Cooper SE. The Oxford and Swindon plants together employ over 4,500 individuals, including 130 apprentices, all of whom work together to produce around 1,000 Minis a day, or roughly one every 67 seconds.

Peter Weber, Managing Director of Plants Oxford and Swindon since 2019, says, "I am extremely proud of our teams at Oxford and Swindon and the incredible job they do. Their continued commitment and passion over the past 20 years has helped to strengthen Mini's reputation around the world."

These plants have a storied history of production, with cars having been built at the Swindon plant for 65 years while the Oxford plant has been going for 108 years. But this won't stop as the electric age rolls around. By the early 2030s, the Mini brand will be the first of the BMW Group to sell only electric vehicles, and these plants will remain integral to the success of the brand going forward. Here's to the next 20 years.