Mini Cooper is owned by the BMW Group, which has controlled the Mini brand since the 1990s. Mini operates as a distinct brand but functions as an independent division within BMW’s corporate structure.

Who owns Mini Cooper?

  • The legal owner of the Mini marque (and thus Mini Cooper) is BMW Group , the German automotive company headquartered in Munich.
  • BMW acquired the Mini brand when it bought Rover Group in 1994 and retained Mini when Rover was broken up later in 2000.
  • Today, Mini is run as a separate brand under the BMW umbrella, with its own management and product line, but financial and strategic control sits with BMW Group.

How Mini Cooper fits inside BMW

  • Mini is described as an “independent division” or brand of BMW, similar to how some car groups manage multiple marques under one corporate parent.
  • The cars themselves are engineered and financed within BMW Group, but marketed as Mini, which is why many sources phrase it as “Mini is owned by BMW.”

Quick history snapshot

  • The Mini name first appeared in 1959 as a small British car produced by the British Motor Corporation and successors like British Leyland.
  • After several corporate changes, the brand ended up in Rover Group, which BMW bought in 1994, later launching the modern Mini (including Mini Cooper variants) in 2001 under BMW ownership.

Today’s status (2020s–2025)

  • Recent sales reports and factory investment announcements continue to list Mini as part of BMW Group, confirming there has been no change of ownership.
  • Mini’s modern lineup (Hardtop/Hatch, Countryman, electric models, etc.) is developed and positioned as a premium compact brand within BMW’s overall portfolio.

TL;DR: BMW Group owns Mini Cooper, with Mini operating as a distinct brand and division under BMW since the mid‑1990s.