Makers BMW said the special paint it was using in the
car's fuel filler neck - which was supposed to earth static electricity - was
wearing off too quickly.
'Very small risk'
There was a "minute risk" the static
electricity could spark when a petrol pump nozzle was inserted, igniting fuel
vapour and setting off a fire. But it said this would be "a flash which is
over in a fraction of a second".
"There have been no fires, explosions or injuries
of any kind, nor were there any occurrences during the entire launch process
involving several hundred cars," BMW insisted.
BMW, which makes the Mini at its Cowley plant in
Oxford, said there would be "a short delay of a few days to Mini deliveries"
while the fuel filler neck was modified. Halting the production line could cost
BMW £3m.
The 500 Minis also sent out will also have the same
modification made when recalled.
BMW retained the Mini brand when it sold off Rover, and
planned to produce 10,000 of the re-modelled roomier and more powerful Minis a
year.
SOURCE: SKY NEWS
® is
an officially registered trademark property of Spelman Motorsport S.L.