TODAY the BMW Group's Mini celebrates its fifth anniversary since the car first went on sale on Saturday July 7, 2001. The launch created a storm and the car introduced a new level of quality to the small car market.

Mini became an instant global success, which has been big news for Southampton as the hundreds of thousands of cars exported go out through the city docks.

Andy Hearn, Mini UK general manager, said: "Mini's instant UK hit has been mirrored around the world, from South Korea to Spain, the US to China.

"The car's design, great driving dynamics and ownership experience set it apart from the competition.

"Five years on, Mini is still winning group tests against new competitors, and quality and safety are second-to-none."

Dr Anton Heiss, managing director BMW Group Plant Oxford, said: "It is not just the high quality of vehicles produced here but also the customer focus and production flexibility that have played such a major role in the car's success.

"Year-on-year we have produced record production figures.

"The £100m investment programme currently underway will allow us to increase production flexibility and capacity further and meet the growing worldwide demand for Mini."

The figures speak for themselves with more that 800,000 Mini's sold around the globe in more than 70 markets.

A record 44,770 were sold in the UK last year.

All Minis are built at Plant Oxford. A record 200,119 were produced last year. Original predictions for production were 100,000 a year!

Plant Oxford employs 4,500 people; an increase of 2,000 since the first Mini rolled off the production line and between 2000-07, £380m will have been invested in Plant Oxford making Mini the third largest car manufacturer in the UK.

Mini will be present at the British International Motor Show later this month and making two UK debuts.