The Mini is continuing to drive the sales of parent firm BMW to new heights.

Latest figures show the German car maker has sold 355,303 cars this year -- of which 38,967 have been Cowley-built Minis.

That is an increase of 19.3 per cent compared with the same period last year.

In April alone the group sold 94,827 cars, 11,275 of them Minis -- a rise of 24 per cent on April 2001.

The group hopes to produce 100,000 Minis this year as it makes the widely acclaimed car available in 50 countries worldwide.

Recent launches in the United States and Japan have proved highly successful.

Dr Michael Ganal, BMW board member for sales and marketing, said: "The growth is based on our success in all major markets worldwide.

"The Mini brand is establishing itself as a premium brand and has been successfully launched in the USA."

Last week, BMW revealed £50m is being invested by BMW at the Cowley factory to boost production of the car.

A further 200 jobs will be created by the end of the year on top of the 500 staff who have accepted full-time jobs from the temporary workforce.