BMW News

The two millionth BMW Mini has been driven off the production line by Prime Minister David Cameron, 10 years after production started. The one millionth Mini was made in 2007.

BMW's Frank-Peter Arndt, said that worldwide demand keeps Mini production strong and that BMW is planning another  £500 million investment in the UK Mini production facilities.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: "It's a real privilege to drive this true British icon off the production line. BMW's continued investment in its UK operations, together with its export success - selling to over 90 countries worldwide - is contributing to a real renaissance for the UK car industry."

The two millionth car is a Mini convertible finished in White Silver metallic with a blue denim roof. The model features a bespoke interior and exterior options including special alloy wheels, a distinctive leather steering wheel and lounge leather upholstery.

The car will be given away as the prize in the global Facebook campaign called "Two Million Minis - Two Million faces" which sees the photographs of the faces of two million Mini fans being posted to a dedicated Facebook wall. The winner will be randomly selected after the campaign closes on 30th September 2011.

It's certainly more subtle than the one millionth car, which was a white sedan with a green roof and a lot of questionable graphics, and was delivered in 2007. The millionth BMC Mini was built in 1965, driven off the line by Sir Alec Issigonis, and like this car, was awarded in a contest. The two millionth BMC Mini was made in 1969.

At least the new car is more subtle than the ghastly lilac-colored one millionth Morris Minor. Let's hope BMW isn't as sneaky as British Leyland, which then made another 350 examples of the one millionth car, a number of which have shown up for sale as  "the only one."—Paul Duchene