U.K. Celebrates 2 Millionth Mini, BMW Investment

The 2 millionth Mini is driven off the line in Oxford, U.K., 10 years after the start of production and with more than 1.5 million units exported to more than 90 countries.

Frank-Peter Arndt, BMW board member in charge of production, says the recent announcement of a £500 million ($814 million) investment in the Oxford complex affirms its key role in BMW’s global production network.

Mini accounts for 17% of U.K. auto output.

Arndt updated Prime Minister David Cameron on preparations to produce the next-generation Mini, including new facilities under construction. He says the investment helps ensure the long-term future of the Oxford plant and jobs at the stamping plant in Swindon and engine plant near Birmingham.

It also brings BMW’s investment in all its U.K. operations to more than £1.5 billion ($2.4 billion) since 2000.

Mini Plant Oxford Managing Director Juergen Hedrich says the production of 216,302 units in 2010 made Mini the third-largest auto maker in the U.K., accounting for 17% of national output.

The factory builds four Mini models: the Hatchback, Convertible, Clubman and new Mini Coupe. A fifth model, the Roadster, joins the lineup at the end of the year.

If placed bumper to bumper, 2 million Minis would reach 4,627 miles (7,446 km), enough to stretch from Oxford, U.K., to the Grand Canyon in the U.S.

BMW says despite the numbers, it would be hard to find two identical Minis. With 14 body colors, four hardtop roof colors, three convertible roof options, hood stripes and several wheel and interior trims, Mini twins are statistically rare.

The most popular Mini color is Pepper White, followed by Midnight Black and Chili Red.

The 2 millionth Mini is being offered as the prize in the auto maker’s global Facebook campaign that collects photos of Mini fans’ faces and assembles them to create a dedicated Facebook wall. The campaign ends Sept. 30.