The new MINI’s British workforce has cause for celebration, with the Cooper version of the famous marque named North American Car of the Year at Detroit’s International Auto Show

The MINI Cooper (branded in capitals to distinguish it from the classic model), produced at BMW’s Cowley plant in Oxford, withstood the challenge of two new Nissan cars to take the Detroit accolade.

”We’re absolutely thrilled. America loves the MINI,” said MINI spokesman Mark Harrison.

BMW began MINI production at Cowley in April 2001 and the first of the cars went on sale the following summer.

MINI Cooper sales in America began in March 2002, with 20,000 of the new vehicles being snapped up straight away.

Mr Harrison added: ”We’re very pleased with this award. We were wondering how a small car like this would go down in the States.

”It’s so different to anything the Americans are used to, but the good thing is that it’s proved very popular.”

The original Mini, which first appeared in the UK in 1959, was available in America for around two years in the late 1960s, but was then withdrawn.

Meanwhile, Crewe-based Bentley Motors today announced it was showing off a Continental GT Design concept at the Detroit show.

The 6.0 litre engined, 180mph four-seater coupe is to be manufactured at Crewe where Volkswagen is continuing Bentley production following the takeover of Rolls-Royce - previously based at Crewe - by German rivals BMW.

The new Bentley will go on sale this autumn and is likely to cost in excess of £150,000.