Mini puts power into BMW

THE NEW Mini is powering to new heights and BMW has upped its 2003 sales forecast for the retro-chic car to 165,000 units, or 15% more than 2002.

Now a cabriolet version of the car is being planned for launch next year, director Michael Ganal revealed at the Frankfurt auto show.

'The demand for smaller cars will strengthen through the year,' he said.

That is good news for the firm's Oxford plant, where the modern take on the 1960s British classic is made. The Mini's rising fortunes are in stark contrast to three years ago when BMW hived off its loss-making British acquisition Rover - a controversial move that chilled industrial and cultural relations between Britain and Germany for some months.

The Mini has become a cult car for much of the Continent with 144,000 sold last year. Its clever marketing and relatively low fuel consumption have made it a hit.