Sales of the Cowley-built Mini fell two per cent in November compared to the same month last year, with 13,380 cars sold.

It was the second successive month year-on-year sales have dropped, but Munich-based BMW, owner of the Oxford plant producing the Mini, said that the car had nearly achieved the 165,000 sales target for 2003 in just 11 months.

At the end of November 164,940 cars had been sold -- up 23 per cent on the same period last year.

The UK remains by far the best market for the Mini, with 39,990 cars delivered to customers in the year's first 11 months.