Although MINI is owned by BMW, it is a nice gesture on behalf of the Bavarian-based company to keep production operations going in the U.K.

Today the production for the fifth-generation MINI Cooper began at Plant Oxford, the place where initial production of the vehicles commenced back in 1961; Charlie Cooper, grandson of John Cooper, where the surname for the car came from, drive the first three-door off the line.

In addition to performing final assembly at the plant in Oxford, two other U.K. plants contribute to MINI production: BMW Group Plant Swindon produces stampings and subassemblies; BMW Group Plant Hams Hall manufacturers three- and four-cylinder engines for the vehicles.