The one millionth Mini for export has now left Plant Oxford, said carmaker BMW. More than 80 per cent of Mini production is sent abroad, with the largest export market being the USA, where sales hit a record in the first half of the year, with 26,400 cars sold, an increase of 33.6 per cent.

In the first six months of 2008, Mini recorded a worldwide increase in sales of 17.9 per cent compared to last year, delivering 126,810 vehicles.

Oliver Zipse, Managing Director Mini Plant Oxford, said: "Since Mini was launched we have seen a significant increase in export from less than 60 per cent in 2001 to over 80 per cent this year. The high customer demand in almost 80 countries around the world, from Chile to China, has driven Mini's success over the last seven years."