<P> The origins of the UK automotive industry date back to the final years of the 19th century . By the 1950s the UK was the second - largest manufacturer of cars in the world ( after the United States ) and the largest exporter . However , in subsequent decades the industry experienced considerably lower growth than competitor nations such as France , Germany and Japan and by 2008 the UK was the 12th - largest producer of cars measured by volume . Since the early 1990s many British car marques have been acquired by foreign companies including BMW ( Mini and Rolls - Royce ) , SAIC ( MG ) , TATA ( Jaguar and Land Rover ) and Volkswagen Group ( Bentley ) . Rights to many currently dormant marques , including Austin , Riley , Rover and Triumph , are also owned by foreign companies . </P>
<P> The origins of the UK automotive industry date back to the final years of the 19th century . By the 1950s the UK was the second - largest manufacturer of cars in the world ( after the United States ) and the largest exporter . However , in subsequent decades the industry experienced considerably lower growth than competitor nations such as France , Germany and Japan and by 2008 the UK was the 12th - largest producer of cars measured by volume . Since the early 1990s many British car marques have been acquired by foreign companies including BMW ( Mini and Rolls - Royce ) , SAIC ( MG ) , TATA ( Jaguar and Land Rover ) and Volkswagen Group ( Bentley ) . Rights to many currently dormant marques , including Austin , Riley , Rover and Triumph , are also owned by foreign companies . </P>
which non-british company owns both the famous british rolls - royce and mini brands
which non-british company owns both the famous british rolls - royce and mini brands
BMW
BMW