Drivers in the US are queuing up to buy the Cowley-built Mini.

About 30,000 of the cars were sold in America in its first year -- 50 per cent more than parent company BMW expected. Across the world, Mini sales estimates continue to be shattered, with more than 45,000 cars sold in the first quarter of this year -- 65 per cent ahead of the same period in 2002. BMW managers are delighted, as the Iraq war and a declining global economy threatened to cut sales of the car, which is sold in 73 countries.

Mini spokesman Angela Stangroom said: "In some markets, such as the US, we've sold far more cars than we anticipated.

"The strong demand for the car seems to have been maintained, especially with the introduction of the Cooper S last year."

She said every car produced at the Cowley plant had already been allocated to a customer.

Production was likely to be at least equal to last year's output of 160,000 cars -- which itself was three times the original estimate.

Further sales are likely to be generated with the introduction of the new diesel model next month.

BMW has hinted a soft-top version could also roll off the production line within a year.