The first Minis were produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC) in response to a fuel shortage affecting Britain in the '50s. Sir Alec Issigonis designed the first Minis under then BMC head, Leonard Lord.
The car was sold by BMC's Austin and Morris brands under various names. The first Mini to be sold under the now familar moniker, though, would not appear until 1961.
MINIs would cross the Atlantic into the U.S. around 1962 (though earlier versions were sold in 1960). Though the Mini sold well, federal emission laws had it pulled in 1968.
In 1961, John Cooper, designer and builder of Formula 1 and rally cars and owner of the Cooper Car Company, took a liking of the Cooper and, after obtaining the reluctant help of Issigonis, built the first Mini Coopers.
In 2000, BMW obtained MINI as part of its acquisition of Rover. The German company revitalized the cars and brand, bringing the marque (now called MINI) back to the U.S. market in 2002 where it continues to sell well.
Besides the MINI and MINI Cooper, future plans include the return of the Clubman. The original Mini Clubman was subcompact car; the new version, which is schedule to go on sale within the next two years, may be the brand's first SUV/crossover.
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