Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini have risen by more than 15 per cent in the past year.
Latest figures produced by parent company BMW show 14,126 cars were sold in January, compared to 12,202 for the same month in 2010 with the company saying tyhe main growth driver was the new Austrian-built Countryman model which found 3,505 customers.
BMW sales and marketing board member Ian Robertson said: “We made a successful start to the new year. We were able to make substantial gains in Europe, the Americas, Asia and Africa as we reap the benefits of a young and attractive model range.”
The figures contrast with those for the UK which last week showed a 24 per cent dip in January.
Mini bosses blamed the figure on customers buying before the VAT rise.
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