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