The New F66 MINI Cooper Begins Production a the Oxford Plant

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Today marks the beginning of a new era for MINI as they kick off production for their latest fifth generation (F66) MINI Cooper at the MINI headquarters, Plant Oxford. The last ever petrol powered MINI Cooper, the F66 ushers in a new generation of design and technology on an upgraded platform. And now it’s officially rolling down the assembly line.

The team at MINI Plant Oxford, along with Head of MINI, Stefanie Wurst, celebrated this milestone with a special event on-site. Charlie Cooper, grandson of the legendary John Cooper, who inspired the Cooper name, had the honor of driving the first three-door model off the production line.

This milestone underscores the commitment to our roots while propelling us into a dynamic future of driving. Plant Oxford is the heart of the MINI brand, and today, as we witness the birth of this new chapter, we renew our pledge to craftsmanship and the thrill of motoring.

Stefanie Wurst, Head of MINI

The new MINI Cooper is the latest generation to be manufactured in the UK, with contributions from all three BMW Group UK manufacturing sites. Body pressings and sub-assemblies are made at BMW Group Plant Swindon, while BMW Group Plant Hams Hall in North Warwickshire produces the latest three and four-cylinder petrol engines. Finally, all these parts come together at MINI Plant Oxford for body shell production, painting, and final assembly.

We are delighted to welcome the new MINI Cooper to our lines in both Oxford and Swindon. The new MINI Cooper is an incredibly important car for our team and UK manufacturing. We are proud to produce this iconic car, loved all over the world.

Dr. Markus Grüneisl, Head of Plants Oxford and Swindon

Since the launch of the first modern MINI in 2001, over 4.4 million MINIs have been produced in Britain, including 150,000 MINI Electric models built between 2019 and 2023.

With its flexibility, competitiveness, and expertise, the MINI Oxford plant plays a crucial role in the BMW Group’s production network. It is gearing up to produce two new all-electric MINI models from 2026. The BMW Group will have invested more than £3 billion in the Swindon, Hams Hall, and Oxford plants by then.

The new MINI Cooper, announced last month, joins the MINI Cooper Electric and the new MINI Countryman in the new MINI family. It comes in two model variants: the MINI Cooper C and the performance-enhanced MINI Cooper S. This latest three-door model blends traditional brand values with innovative, forward-thinking technology.

Visit MotoringFile’s F66 MINI Cooper section for the most complete look at this new car and our first hand impressions.

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