Global sales of the Cowley-built Mini fell by almost seven per cent last year, latest figures have revealed.

Statistics released by German parent company BMW show 216,538 cars were bought by customers around the world compared to 232,425 in 2008, a drop of 6.8 per cent.

But the figures have recovered considerably during the year since the plant cut its weekend shift in February with the loss of 850 agency jobs.

In that month, year on year figures showed a 30.8 per cent drop compared to the first two months of 2008.

But in December sales had risen by 22.2 year on year per cent with 18,335 cars being bought.

On Monday <<Jan 11>> it was revealed how the Mini was the seventh best selling car in the UK last year with 39,866 cars sold — just two per cent down on the previous year.

Ian Robertson, BMW board member for sales and marketing, said: “We are beginning the new year with a sense of optimism, even though we are still feeling the effects of the global economic crisis.”