MINI has celebrated 25 years of modern production under BMW Group ownership.

 

The silver anniversary marks a milestone that underscores its evolution from a British icon to a globally recognised premium small-car brand.

 

The first BMW-era Mini rolled off the production line at Plant Oxford in April 2001, signalling the rebirth of the marque for the modern era.

 

Since then, more than 4.67 million Minis have been built in the UK, with production centred around BMW Group’s Oxford and Swindon facilities, supported by engine manufacturing at Hams Hall.

 

Today, the Oxford plant produces about 800 vehicles per day, with a new Mini leaving the line every 78 seconds, highlighting the scale of the brand’s global demand.

 

The milestone reflects a broader transformation of the Mini brand, which traces its origins back to 1959 when the original Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, redefined small-car packaging with its front-wheel-drive layout and compact footprint.

 

That legacy has carried through to the modern era, with Mini continuing to emphasise design individuality, agile driving dynamics, and strong links to its motorsport heritage.

 

Mini head Jean-Philippe Parain said the anniversary highlights the brand’s enduring appeal.

 

“Our unmistakable British roots, unique design and go-kart feeling have made Mini a global icon,” he said.

 

The current Mini line-up is the most diverse in its history, spanning five core models with a mix of internal combustion and fully electric powertrains.

 

Electrification is playing an increasingly important role, with battery-electric vehicles accounting for more than one-third of global Mini sales in 2025 and exceeding 50 per cent in some markets.

 

Global deliveries reached 288,290 units last year, while the performance-focused John Cooper Works sub-brand recorded a record 25,630 sales.

 

Manufacturing remains a cornerstone of Mini’s identity, with more than 3000 employees across its UK plants contributing to production, reinforcing the brand’s strong ties to British industry.

 

Mini continues to evolve its range with new electric models and design-led special editions simultaneously balancing heritage with innovation as it transitions further into a fully electric future.

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Sometimes, I wish I were a truck driver. It isn’t a glamorous life, that much I understand, but still. When I get the chance to haul gravel in my 1966 Ford F600, it’s one of the highlights of my life. That’s why I don’t blame whoever built this tandem-axle Ford “Economac” that’s for sale on Bring a Trailer.

I stumbled across a video of this little big rig on social media last week, and today, I saw it on every time waster’s go-to car auction site. It’s registered as a 1967 Ford, but there’s a lot of custom fab work going on here. For example, the listing says it rides on a bespoke frame, which houses a mid-mounted 351 Windsor V8. Said pushrod engine screams through a pair of stacks mounted behind the cab.

And speaking of the cab, it’s a trucker’s dream. Not only does it tilt forward like you’d expect a COE semi to, but it’s also furnished with tons of switches to control features like the air suspension. It even has a shifter like you’d find in a true tractor-trailer, although this one is mated to a four-speed automatic rather than a 13-speed. Criticize it if you want, but when you’re building a cruiser, comfort is king.

Only one of the rear axles is driven, which isn’t all that surprising, and there’s an 8.8-inch differential with a Trick Flow cover. They’re hung with a triangulated four-link suspension setup, whereas the front utilizes a MacPherson strut. Power steering makes it a dream to putter around in, and on a sunny day, you can bet the chrome 17-inch American Racing wheels catch everybody’s eye.

Additional creature comforts make it a better place to be, including an aftermarket HVAC system. If you have kids (or grandkids), they’re sure to “ooh” and “aah” at the 140-mile-per-hour speedometer. I don’t know about you, but I personally get a kick out of the 8,000-rpm tach. Dream big, I guess.

The Mighty ECONOMAC, 6-Wheeled, V8 Powered Custom Ford Econoline!

If you ask me, this is way cooler than recreating a Peterbilt on a tiny scale. I’ve seen people build their own “semis” that are so small that they have to cram into the driver’s seat. Instead, what we have here is an awesome Sunday driver that’s sure to make everyone smile—including whoever buys it before the auction ends on Tuesday, April 7. The high bid at the time of publication sits at $21,000, but who knows if that exceeds the reserve. I can almost guarantee it cost double that price to build it.

Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@thedrive.com

Since the John Cooper Works arrived on our fleet, MINI has upped the price from £31,200 to £33,530. That’s a fairly significant jump, because it means the car is now more than £2,000 dearer than its closest competitor, the Volkswagen Polo GTI. 

In addition, the JCW is now £5,000 more than the MINI Cooper S and £3,500 more costly than the new Skoda Fabia 130 – two cars that I would definitely consider going for, thanks to their slightly softer, more friendly chassis set-up. 

If you do opt for the JCW, it makes sense to do what we did and choose the £3,800 Level 3 option pack. This brings much-needed tech such as a heated steering wheel and seats, a panoramic roof and a head-up display, which is a must considering the lack of a screen for the driver.

MINI John Cooper Works: Second report

Funky hatch is – mostly – helping our man recapture his youth

• Mileage: 6,331 miles
• Efficiency: 38.7mpg

If there’s one car brand that trades heavily on its youthful appeal, then it’s MINI. And potentially the most youth-oriented of its models is the JCW hatch I’ve been running over the past few months. I really enjoyed blasting it around the Curborough sprint course when it first arrived, and more recently I’ve noticed this hot hatch may have been influencing a change in my lifestyle. 

Although I’m very much on the far side of 30, I’ve decided that now is as good a time as ever to get into some of my old pastimes. Despite how creaky and distinctly un-youthful my body feels, I’ve managed to nail down a ‘pop shuv-it’ in skateboarding (you might want to play Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater if you don’t know what I’m on about), started playing for my local 11-a-side football team, and even tried to make sure I’m not completely wasting the money I spend on my gym membership.