BMW has signed the contracts for 150 dealerships to sell the forthcoming new Mini. All BMW dealers were offered the opportunity to sell Mini as a separate brand in their showrooms and all dealers applied. 95% have been approved this week to begin preparations to sell the car.

An additional 300 staff are also being recruited to work in the Mini outlets.

Trevor Houghton-Berry, general manager for Mini in the UK, said: "We're very encouraged by the enthusiasm for Mini shown by BMW dealers. We set them a challenging task with our requirements for dedicated Mini premises and staff and they've gone for it in a big way.

"It's great to know that by early summer we'll see 150 Mini showrooms throughout the UK."

The company says it has been encouraged by the interest in the new car. A total of 30,000 sales leads have been generated via the internet site www.mini.co.uk and at the Birmingham motor show.

BMW is currently spending more than £520m at the Oxford Mini plant, securing 2,500 jobs.