THE 500,000th Mini has come off the production line at BMW Group Plant Oxford, three years after the car first went on sale in July 2001.

More than 375,000 of the 500,000 Minis have been exported representing over 75% of the total produced since the launch of the car. The UK car export market is worth approximately £11 billion per annum and Mini is the UK's fifth largest car manufacturer. The Rt Hon Andrew Smith MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, was at the plant to see the car roll off the line.

"This is a great moment for the workforce and British manufacturing. The Mini plant is a success story that is benefiting both the local and national economy."