BMW is celebrating a quarter of a century of Mini production at its Oxford facility.

The first vehicle from the next generation rolled off the production line at the Cowley plant on April 26, 2001, following BMW’s purchase of the marque.

Since that acquisition, roughly 4.7 million cars have left the factory gates in the city.

The Cowley site will host a Drive It Day gathering this weekend to honour the milestone while raising funds for the NSPCC’s Childline Service.

Markus Gruneisl, BMW Group’s UK manufacturing chief executive, said the 25-year accomplishment marks a notable achievement for Mini and everyone involved in making it in Britain.

He noted that from the beginning, the Oxford and Swindon plants have been fundamental to Mini’s global success, combining skilled workmanship with inventive methods.

He added that essentially, the workforce with their imagination, expertise and commitment continue to shape what makes Mini distinctive.

Before BMW took control in 2001, the company observed that the Mini had already attained iconic cultural standing.

The original Mini was launched in 1959 to meet consumer demand for affordable motoring, driven by increasing petrol prices.

The Morris Mini Minor was assembled at Cowley during its first decade before manufacturing shifted to Longbridge.

Swindon commenced production of Mini components at the start of 2001, with Oxford building its initial vehicle on April 26, 2001.

By the latter part of 2016, the Cowley factory had manufactured more than 3 million cars, a figure that rose to almost 4.5 million by early 2024, covering both the classic and modern Mini ranges.

The Mini has become a fixture in cinema and popular culture, featuring prominently in The Italian Job and the Mr Bean television series.