BMW bought the Mini brand as part of its purchase of the Rover Group in 1996, and retained it when selling Rover in 2000. At the time, Rover and BMW had ideas about what a new Mini should be, but it was American BMW designer Frank Stephenson, whose concept was finally approved. The result was not a car bursting with innovation like the Mini of Sir Alec Issigonis, but was charming enough to reinvent this classic brand for a modern audience.

Those first Mini hatchbacks, built in Cowley, Oxford, are much more compact than today’s offering. Regardless, at the time they were criticised by some for being bulky. Buyers were not deterred, flocking to the new car for its retro styling (including its round headlights and an enormous central speedometer). Customers also loved the ability to personalise it to their precise requirements, which in turn created brand advocacy and drove profitability.

Mini also developed performance versions of popular makes including the Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S. These turned out to be successful rally and race cars. We are proud to be one of the leading providers of Mini Cooper parts and services in Melbourne and uphold the rich history of this vehicle.