The first announcement of the successor to the Mini was made by BMW (the new owner of the brand ) in 2000, when production of the classic Mini ceased.

On last 3 April 2007 the one millionth MINI rolled out of the Oxford Plant after six years of production, just one month longer than it took the classic Mini to reach the same total in March 1965 (source: Wikipedia).

On July 6, 2009, just weeks after celebrating its 50th birthday, another landmark was reached with the 1.5 millionth car built since the launch of the new MINI in 2001.

Since the beginning the design process - based on the motto “From the original to the original” - was led by German Gert Volker Hildebrand.

Below we report Gert Volker Hildebrand's official CV - recently released by MINI - and a video from his participation on the Design London STIR Lecture Series "Extreme Design: From Mini Cars to Mega Yachts."

About Gert Volker Hildebrand

Gert Volker Hildebrand was born August 22, 1953 in Lörrach (Germany).

He studied Mechanical Engineering at TH Karlsruhe, Industrial Design at HBK Braunschweig and Automotive Design at the Royal College of Arts, London.

• 1980-1985 Adam Opel AG, Rüsselsheim - Designer Exterior, Interior, Special Projects (Opel Junior Concept)
• 1986-1989 Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg - Head of Concept Design Division
• 1989-1994 3M Europe, Neuss - Head of Design, Senior Specialist, Manager
• 1994-1998 Volkswagen AG, Wolfsburg - Alternate Head of Exterior Design (Golf III)
• 1995-1996 Seat Centro Tecnico, Martorel, Spain - Head of Design (Toledo, Leon, Seat New Face)
• 1998-2000 Mitsubishi Design Europe - Chief Designer
• 2000 (8-12) jci johnson controls, Burscheid - Senior Manager Design Europe
• January 1, 2001 BMW Group, Munich - General Manager MINI Design

Extreme Design: From Mini Cars to Mega Yacht

First minutes of Gert Volker Hildebrand participation on the STIR lecture "Extreme Design: From Mini Cars to Mega Yacht" (Source: Design London)

(Source: MINI, Design London)