Worldwide sales of the Cowley-built Mini are continuing to spiral with another key landmark overtaken.

The new Cowley-built Mini is proving a worldwide success story, with soaring sales

Up to the end of September, 104,900 Minis had been sold this year, beating the original 2002 target of 100,000 three months early.

The highest level of Mini sales by far in a month was recorded in September, with a total of 16,800 vehicles delivered to customers worldwide.

Drivers in the US cannot get enough of the cars, which have only been on sale there since March through just 50 dealerships.

All 20,000 Cooper and Cooper S models were snapped up within a week of going on sale.

The success means production at the plant has been stepped up and management have now added another shift on the production line to cope with demand.

Revised sales levels for 2002 are expected to be more than 130,000 -- 30,000 higher than anticipated levels at the beginning of the year and are set to to continue growing with the introduction of a diesel model next year and a cabriolet version in the pipeline.

Further sales success in the US is likely after the Mini was voted number one in a study of American drivers.

It came top in the "compact car" segment, replacing the VW Beetle, in a survey of more than 100,000 drivers by marketing firm JD Power and Associates.

Cowley plant spokesman Angela Wigley said: "JD Power is recognised as being one of the most influential customer survey organisations in the world.

"We are delighted to receive the honour, particularly as the car has only been on sale for a few months."

The study measured owners' delight with the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicles.

The Mini is also fuelling the overall sales boom of parent firm BMW.

The German giant has registered a 20 per cent increase in sales in the first nine months of this year to 805,800. Sales in September rose by 28 per cent to 96,500.