MINI

MINI

MINI
Name:MINI
Year of foundation:1959
Founders:Mike Cooper
Belongs:BMW
Location:CowleyOxford,
United Kingdom
News:Read more...


MINI

History of the MINI car brand

Contents FounderEmblemHistory of the car in modelsQuestions and answers: The history of the MINI automobile brand is the story of what a long and difficult path one automobile concern can go through during the long path of its formation. The MINI itself is a series of subcompact sedans, hatchbacks and coupes. Initially, the idea of ​​​​development and production of MINI is assigned to a group of engineers from the British Motor Corporation. The development of the idea and concept, as well as the car as a whole, dates back to 1985. These cars took a well-deserved second place in a survey of hundreds of world experts "The Best Car of the XNUMXth Century." Founder Leonard Percy Lord, 1st Baron Lambury KBE born in 1896 was a figurehead in the British automotive industry. He graduated from school with an impressive technical bias, but at the age of 16 he was forced to go into free swimming after the loss of his father. At this time, Lord began to actively apply the technical knowledge gained at school, and already in 1923 he got into Morris Motors Limited, where he helped to optimize all stages of the production process. In 1927, when Morris acquired the rights to manage Wolseley Motors Limited, Leonard was transferred there in order to improve their technical equipment and processes. Already in 1932, he was appointed general manager at Morris Motors. Just a year later, in 1933, thanks to his efficiency, Leonard Lord received the position of managing director of the entire Morris Motors Limited company and soon became a titled multimillionaire. In 1952, the long-awaited merger of two firms for Lord takes place - his own firm Austin Motor Company and Morris Motors, of which he was director in the 30s. At the same time, the British Motor Corporation enters the UK automotive market. The Suez crisis that broke out in those years was associated with interruptions in the supply of oil. It becomes clear that fuel prices could also change. The current situation forces Lord to create a subcompact car, while compact and roomy. In 1956, the British Motor Corporation, led by Leonard Lord, selected a group of eight people to create the smallest car of the time. Alec Issigonis was appointed head of the group. The project was given the name ADO-15. One of the goals of developing this car was the spaciousness of the trunk and the comfortable seating of four people. It was 1959 the first working model "The Orange Box" was rolled off the assembly line. In May, the conveyor production of the first line was launched. In total, it took more than two and a half years to create the first machines of the MINI line. During this time, British Motor Corporation has prepared many new sites and purchased a sufficient amount of equipment for the production of new brand cars. Engineers applied the most advanced technologies and carried out a lot of additional tests. Emblem The history of the emblem of the automobile brand MINI has changed along with the owners of automobile concerns. While automobile factories were merging, new corporations were formed, the logo was also changing. The first emblem of the MINI automobile brand had the shape of a circle, from which two stripes resembling wings departed to the sides. One wing was inscribed with the name Morris and the other wing Cooper. The corporate logo was placed in the center of the emblem. Over the years, combinations of the names Morris, Cooper and Austin periodically changed each other, combined in the brand's emblem. The concept of the logo has also changed several times. At first it was the wings extending from the circle. Later, the emblem took the form of a stylized shield with the word MINI. Now we are seeing the latest modification of the emblem. It features the 'MINI' lettering in capital letters, flanked by modern fenders. The logo carries a clear semantic load. It means speed and freedom, with a miniature build of a car. It is sometimes referred to as the "winged wheel". The last update of the logo took place in 2018. Since then, it has remained unchanged, but the current owners of the brand are talking about a new change in emblem. History of the car in models The first lines of MINI cars were assembled in Oxford and Birmingham. These were Morris Mini Minor and Austin Seven. Cars were exported under other names related to the approximate engine size. Abroad, these were already Austin 850 and Morris 850. The first trial runs of the MINI car showed the developers the shortcomings in waterproofing. All found flaws were found and corrected by the factory. Already by 1960, more than two and a half thousand cars were being produced every week. Soon the company releases new modifications: Morris Mini Traveler and Austin Seven Countryman. Both of them were conceived in the sedan, but remained the same subcompact. In 1966, British Motor Corporation and Jaguar merged to form British Motor Holdings. The authorities immediately announced the reduction of more than 10 workers. This was due to increased control over the company's costs. By the end of the sixties, the Austin Mini Metro appeared and gained popularity. Also, this model became famous under the name Mini Shortie. This name was due to the fact that the model had a short base. The creators did not plan to make this car for mass sale. The purpose of creating the Mini Shortie was advertising and marketing. They were produced only in a convertible body, had a 1,4-liter engine and did not accelerate faster than up to 140 km / h. Only about 200 of them were produced, and only a few of them had a hard top and doors. All "convertibles" did not have doors, so you had to jump into them over the sides. Part of MINI cars was developed and produced at various factories of the company, which were located in Spain, Uruguay, Belgium, Chile, Italy, Yugoslavia, etc. In 1961, the well-known engineer of the Cooper team, which competed in Formula 1, became interested in the Mini Cooper line. He came up with the idea to improve the car by putting an engine with increased power under the hood. With its handling and maneuverability, the reinforced engine should have made the car unsurpassed. And so it happened. The updated model Mini Cooper S already in 1964 becomes the leader of the world races - Rally Monte Carlo. For several years in a row, the teams that performed on this model won prizes. These machines were unmatched. In 1968 there was a final race, which crowned with a prize-winning place. In 1968 another merger takes place. British Motor Holdings merges with Leyland Motors. As a result of this merger, the British Leyland Motor Corporation is formed. In 1975, she was given the name Rover Group. In 1994, BMW buys out the Rover Group, after which, in 2000, the Rover Group was finally canceled. BMW retains ownership of the MINI car brand. After all the mergers, the engineers of the concern are actively developing cars that are as similar as possible to the original classic MINI model. Only in 1998, Frank Stevenson develops and produces the Mini One R50 already at BMW's factories. The last car of the original Mini Mark VII line was discontinued and placed in the British Motor Museum. In 2001, the development of MINI cars at BMW plants begins with the MINI Hatch. In 2005, the company increases the budget to increase the flow of cars produced at the Oxford plant. In 2011, two more new models of the MINI automobile brand were announced. New items were developed on the basis of their outdated, but relevant relatives - Mini Paceman. Nowadays, the development of the MINI brand electric car is underway at the famous Oxford plant. This was announced in 2017 by BMW. Q&A: Who makes the Mini Cooper? Mini was originally a British automaker (founded in 1959). In 1994, the company was taken over by the BMW concern. What are Mini Coopers? The British brand is characterized by authenticity, which can be traced in all models. The company produces convertibles, station wagons and crossovers. Why is Mini Cooper called that?

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