Which company introduced the original Mini in 1959?

The British Motor Corporation introduced the original Mini in 1959. BMC sold the revolutionary small car under its Austin and Morris brands, initially as the Austin Seven and Morris Mini-Minor.

Designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, the Mini was created during a period of fuel shortages and demand for inexpensive, economical cars. Its transverse engine and front-wheel-drive layout placed the powertrain across the nose, leaving unusually much cabin space within the car's compact footprint. Small wheels at the corners and rubber suspension helped make the design practical and distinctive.

The car was officially announced to the public on 26 August 1959. It quickly became a cultural icon, but the early versions were ordinary economy cars rather than the sporty Mini Coopers that later made the name famous. The performance versions were developed with John Cooper, whose racing expertise transformed the Mini's competition reputation.

A common mix-up is naming British Leyland, which took over production after BMC merged with Leyland Motors in 1968. The company that introduced the original 1959 Mini, however, was BMC.