BMW will invest £600 million in Mini factories at Oxford and Swindon, with the injection of money aimed at transforming the plant in Cowley to all electric production by 2030.
Two new all electric Mini models will be built at the plant in Cowley from 2026 due to BMW Group’s decision to take its total investment in the UK to £3 billion since 2000.
£600 million will be invested in the Oxford and Swindon plants, with the former specifically gearing up to build the three-door Mini Cooper and the compact crossover Mini Aceman.
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Prime minister Rishi Sunak has hailed the investment as “another shining example of the UK is the best place to build cars of the future”.
He said: “By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the country.”
Milan Nedeljkovic, member of BMW’s board of management responsible for production, said: “With this new investment we will develop the Oxford plant for production of the new generation of electric Minis and set the path for purely electric car manufacturing in the future.”
The Oxford Mini plant already produces the Mini three-door, the Mini five-door as well as the Mini Clubman and the Mini Electric.
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From 2024, the plant will start producing the next generation Mini three-door and Mini five-door with combustion engines, as well as the new Mini Convertible before they are joined by the new all electric vehicles in 2026.
Business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch described the investment as a “big vote of confidence in the UK economy” and she promised the government would “ensure the continued strength of our world leading automotive sector”.
She added: “We are proud to be able to support BMW Group’s investment, which will secure high quality jobs, strengthen our supply chains and boost Britain’s economic growth”.
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This announcement comes after the Oxford Mail reported that a number of temporary staff would be losing their jobs due to the company moving to a different shift pattern as it phases out old vehicle models”.
Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds said she understood the job losses were “planned cuts to temporary staff and that BMW are doing all they can to retain as many staff as possible in the business”.
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In 2022, more than 50 per cent of all fully electric vehicles manufactured in the UK came from the Oxford plant.
The Oxford plant has been producing the Mini Electric since 2019 and it celebrated its 110th anniversary this year.
Stefanie Wurst, head of the Mini brand, said: “Mini has always been aware of its history- Oxford is and remains at the heart of the brand.
“I am delighted that the two new, fully electric Mini models- the Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman- are also being produced in Oxford, thereby confirming our path to a fully electric future.”
Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: "I warmly welcome the announcement that BMW and the Government plan to invest £600m in Mini Plant Oxford.
“Oxford City Council is proud of our strong working relationship with BMW.
This proposed investment will secure thousands of green jobs for local people, protecting the livelihood of many Oxford families.
It will strengthen Oxford's position as a key player in the global electric vehicle industry, benefitting small businesses in our area.
“Mini Plant Oxford is an integral part of Oxford's history, economy and identity.
"The plant has been at the heart of our city's communities and industry for over a century, and we look forward to working with BMW and others to help ensure it stays that way for generations to come, starting with the planning."
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