Hard to believe isn't it? Here's an excerpt from the BBC article:
The 500,000th new-style Mini has rolled off the production line at BMW's UK plant in Oxford, watched by its proud new American owner.
Dan Cowdrey, 35, from Los Angeles, was waiting with girlfriend Kasondra Kenning to pick up the £15,000 silver Mini Cooper S at the factory in Cowley.
He said: “I have been in love with the Mini marque for years.”
BMW began production of the Mini in 2001 and has hit the half-million mark two years faster than was predicted.
Mr Cowdrey added: “It's such a beautiful car. My aunt had one of the old-style Minis and I've always wanted one myself.”
He was presented with the car by the plant's managing director Dr Anton Heiss, and by Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Andrew Smith, MP for Oxford East.
Dr Heiss said: “The car seems to go from strength to strength and there is no sign of our order book dropping off at all.
You can read the entire article here
<p>I wonder if he gets to travel across the ocean with it ;)</p>
<p>That's awesome. I wonder when he was told his MINI would be rolling off the line with such a distinguished production number? Did MINI pay for him to go and pick it up for the great PR they likely are getting from it? Those things just popped into my head. I wonder how to find out what number my MINI is in the scheme. Is there a way to tell? Anyone??? :o)</p>
<p>“Marque?” “Marque?”</p>
<p>Can't they feed him marketing lines that someone from LA might actually say? ;)</p>
<p>Adam</p>
<p>Marque n : a name given to a product or service. [syn: trade name, brand name, brand]</p>
<p>I'm from there and I can say it just fine.</p>
<p>camini</p>
<p>Sooo..if I order number 500001, can I get overseas delivery too? ;)</p>
<p>I think I got one of the mock ups!</p>
<p>…RB</p>
<p>Sooooo…. Is MINIUSA testing the waters for a possible MINI European delivery option?</p>
<p>Imagine getting a new MINI for 20% less than retail in the USA dealers by choosing to do delivery in Oxford instead.</p>
<p>BMWUSA has been doing this for years, I don't see why MINI should not offer the same option here as well.</p>
<p>I'll work on ordering # 1M.</p>
<p>The article states that MINI did pay his way over, as they should! There was no 20% savings for picking it up there. The 16,000 price they mention is in Pounds. With current exchange rates that actually makes it one expensive Cooper S!</p>
<p>20%??? The savings is only 7% for BMW. This does not include M's or 6's. Since these are taken out of Dealer allocation there isn't a discount. Just the pleasure of driving your car on the Autobhan.</p>
<p>I had inquired to MINI USA in the past about European Delivery (back in 2002, and again in 2003, and finally I own a 2004 – U.S. Delivery, of course). They stated that they were “looking into it” (that was over 2 years ago), but I've heard that it might not happen due to the liability associated with turning LHD American MINIs loose in Great Britain on its RHD roads. Of course there ARE LHD cars on that side of the pond, just as there are some RHD cars here (besides US Mail trucks). Anyway, I agree that a European Delivery program would be sweet! (and maybe reason enough to justify buying another MINI in a couple years)</p>
<p>I wouldn't be surprised if some within MINI/BMW may not be considering Euro delivery very strongly in that they feel there would be too small a number of people that would actually foot the bill to go and get it. The MINI as a base car is rather affordable and they (MINI/BMW) may think that someone getting a $17,000 car (if base Mini Cooper) would not spend the money to go to England to pick it up, or anywhere else in Europe. </p>
<p>The reality however is that many getting MINI's can afford much more expensive cars, but chose the MINI for reasons beyond cost. I am just thinking out loud here, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit if that was a thought process over there.</p>
<p>Camini,</p>
<p>I'm perfectly familiar with the word, I just have never met an American who uses it in normal speech. Every American I know uses the term brand.</p>
<p>Hello everyone. To answer some questions, Mini did pay our way (first class) and lodging (also first class) and gave us the use of a Mini One while we were there. I didn't use the word “marque”, I just said that I've always liked the car. Blame the BBC, or whoever, for the use. I haven't yet received the car, so no Euro delivery. Plus for some strange reason, they put the steering wheel on the wrong side. To Rick Sirody and his lover Julio (whom I know), my Mini will kick a** over your '93 Sentra and '85 C-class MB. FYI-I'm also getting the John Cooper Works upgrade.</p>
<p>Hey Dan – good to hear from you. Shoot us an email via the contact link above when you get your car – we'd love to hear how you like the car when you finally recieve it.</p>