Yes Mini brand has British origins but today its owned by BMW Group a German automaker. Prior to its acquisition by BMW the Mini Cooper was made by the British Motor Corporation and. Is Mini Cooper Going Out Of Business Theres a John Cooper Works version of almost every Mini. Who makes mini coopers now . Even though the brand is owned by a German automaker its largest plant is still in England. It now includes a convertible the Club wagon five-door and the Country crossover. While Mini debuted in 1959 the first Mini Cooper went on sale in September 1961 and over 12000 were built by the time production ended in 1967. Market started in the 1960s with the importation of tiny cars manufactured. MINI Cooper was bought out by BMW in 2000. BMW Group purchased the MINI brand in the year 2000. Along with the Mini Cooper BMW makes the Mini One Mini Cooper S and the MK II. The Modern Mini Coopers Designer Is Now Working On Flying Cars With a pedigree ranging from Ferrari to