STAFF at the Cowley Mini plant have been hailed as “world beaters” following the car manufacturer’s best ever year.

Last year saw 63,584 Minis sold in the UK – the highest since the new model was launched in 2001, and up 18 per cent from the 53,661 sold in 2014.

And Mini plant boss Frank Bachmann hailed the city’s 4,000-strong workforce for the record-breaking figure.

Mr Bachmann, managing director of Mini Plant Oxford, said: “On behalf of everyone at the plant, I am really proud that Minis made here in Oxford have once again proven to be a hit with UK customers.

“Today’s figures are testament to the hard work and dedication of our local workforce who build almost 1,000 iconic British Minis every day.”

His praise was echoed by Oxford East MP Andrew Smith, who said he thought the Cowley plant played a “major role” in the car manufacturing industry.

He added: “This is brilliant news and it does not surprise me.

“I know just what a quality product the Mini plant in Cowley produces and the rise in sales is an enormous tribute to the hard work and skill of the workforce at Cowley. They are world beaters and everyone in Oxfordshire can be proud of this success. “It confirms Cowley plant as a strong centre for the industry and is absolutely crucial both in terms of jobs and for the local economy.”

The milestone represents Mini’s sixth year of consecutive growth, which has secured them 2.41 per cent of the entire UK market.

Mini enthusiast and collector Jason Field, who works in IT at the plant, said the rise in sales was due to the quality and investment from the company in the plant.

The 44-year-old, who joined as an apprentice for Austin Rover 28 years ago, added: “I think one reason is that they still have the characteristics of the Mini of 40 to 50 years ago, which is brilliant.

“I started at the Oxford plant when I was 16 so I’ve seen it change a great deal. Sometimes you forget how much it has changes but it has changed massively, especially when they launched the new Mini.

“There was 11,500 people working there when I joined as an apprentice, now there’s between 4,000 and 5,000, but we are producing a lot more vehicles. It’s a big part of Oxford and it’s brilliant that it’s progressing well with BMW.”

It comes as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced more than 2.63 million new cars of various models were registered nationally in 2015.

SMMT also revealed Mini was in the top three of the best sellers for December 2015, with 5,371 new cars being registered.

The first Mini was produced in Oxford on May 8, 1959, and Mr Field, who has collected 10 of the classic cars, said the company had the right approach by finding a balance between supply and demand to keep sales going.

The father-of-three from Headington shares his hobby with wife Tanya and his three sons.

Chris Brownridge, director, Mini UK, said: “2015 was a record busting year for Mini in the UK.

“With the recently launched Mini Clubman and the forthcoming convertible on sale in time for spring this year, 2016 is set to be another record-breaking year for the brand.

“In March, the all-new Mini convertible will launch and will feature a striking new design.”

SALES
* The Mini three-door Hatch remained the brand’s biggest selling model with 25,443 sales, closely followed by its five-door sibling with 19,117 sales.

* The Mini performance brand, John Cooper Works, celebrated a record year following the June launch of the Mini John Cooper Works Hatch. It is the fastest production Mini ever built with a 0-62mph time of just 6.1 seconds. Some 1,487 John Cooper Works Hatch models were sold last year.

* The new Clubman joined the model family in the last quarter of 2015. The largest and most refined Mini to date, Clubman contributed 1,676 registrations from its launch on October 31. This year will see the first full calendar year of sales.

The Countrymen model is not manufactured at the Cowley Plant because of its size.