The new MINI Convertible arrives straight from England

Production of the MINI Cooper Convertible returns to the historic Oxford plant alongside the 3- and 5-door Coopers.

The MINI factory in Oxford celebrates today the beginning of production of the Cooper Convertible for the first time since 2015. This fourth generation of the Cooper Convertible, unveiled last month, joins the 3- and 5-door Cooper models, and enhances the status of MINI’s Oxford factory as the birthplace of the Cooper family.

Since the renaissance of the MINI brand in 2001, the first convertible variant was unveiled in 2004 and has never left the catalog since. With 160,000 units produced at the MINI factory in Oxford from 2004 to 2008, this first generation capitalized on the same strengths as the coupe version, namely a “retro” style reinforced by chrome rollover bars located behind the rear seats. An almost vintage architecture that suited it perfectly. The second generation, revealed in 2009, retained the iconic folding tailgate while adopting the new stylistic language of the three-door model of that era. Production of this model was briefly entrusted to VDL Nedcar for the third generation, making way for the MINI Clubman at the MINI factory in Oxford. More than 150,000 convertibles were produced in the Netherlands until production of this generation ceased in 2023. The heir of this fine lineage is returning to its native land perhaps to better prepare for its electric transition? It’s about time.

The MINI factory in Oxford celebrated its 110^th anniversary in 2023, the very year when the factory produced more than 20% of all cars manufactured in the UK. The MINI factory in Oxford, one of the oldest automotive factories in the world, has been in continuous operation since 1913.

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