I finally made the leap and moved from my large GMC Denali to a small Mini Cooper Clubman S. I thought that it was time to practice what I preach and stand for as a Realtor. I did alot of research before making my decision and was very impressed with the gas efficiency and manufacturing standards. I thought I would share some of what I discovered:

All of the Mini-Coopers are manufactured at a plant in Oxford, England.

Customers can order their MINI in a number of colours, but as far as Plant Oxford is concerned the priority is to make it as 'green' as possible.

Car production is generally an energy, material and industrially intensive process. Plant Oxford works to minimise wasteful activities and develops lean manufacturing techniques through a combination of advanced technologies and good housekeeping. Product efficiency and sustainable environmental benefits are at the top of the agenda, alongside product quality.

Rather than use disposable packaging for parts the plant uses around 30,000 specialised re-usable containers to support its supply chain. A dedicated waste management centre also works continuously to improve the scope of recycling across the plant.

The plant recycles over 20 different material types used in the manufacturing of MINI, including metals, such as copper and aluminium, baled cardboard, batteries, glass, steel and various types of plastic.

To lessen the plant's impact on the environment further, a railhead was opened on site in 2001 to take MINIs destined for European markets by purpose-built container trains onto the national rail system; thus eliminating approximately half a million delivery truck road miles each year.

The plant also generates some of its own electricity using three 800kw combined heat and power units, which as well as providing hot water for processes, produce 2.4MWh of electricity, about 10% of the total requirement for the whole planOne example for the importance of environmental issues at Plant Oxford is the Paint Shop. This Paint Shop is one of the most modern in the UK, with state-of-the-art spraying technologies and water-based paints and waxes which have very low solvent content.

In conventional paint facilities only about 20 to 30% of paint attaches to the car body, which is wasteful and environmentally unsound. By charging the paint with static electricity during the spraying process, a much higher proportion of paint is attracted to the steel surface, increasing quality, coverage and minimising environmental emissions.

As part of the baking process, completed after every stage of the paint process, fumes are released as the paint is cured. All exhaust streams from the paint ovens are gathered and burned in a catalytic incinerator.

The new MINI itself represents a major step forward in environmental standards such as reduced emissions and excellent fuel economy - and so do the manufacturing techniques by which it is made.

Since owning my Clubman I have averaged about 40 MPG and the car is not even broken in yet. I am so excited about the fuel savings and would recommend the car to anyone who wants to travel in style while lessening their impact on the environment.