BMW Group has announced a new investment of more than £600 million in the MINI factories at Oxford and Swindon.
The UK Government has supported this development which will help to secure jobs at the Oxford manufacturing plant and at the body-pressing facility in Swindon.
“BMW Group’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
“By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the country.”
By 2030 all new MINI vehicles will be electric, in line with the 2030 government ban on the production of diesel and petrol motors.
The MINI Plant Oxford currently manufactures the MINI 3-door, MINI 5-door, MINI Clubman, and MINI Electric models. Starting in 2024, the facility will commence production of the next-generation MINI 3-door and MINI 5-door with conventional combustion engines, in addition to the newly introduced MINI Convertible. These will be followed by the introduction of two all-electric vehicles in 2026: the MINI Cooper 3-door and the MINI Aceman.
The investment announcement will have far-reaching effects on Oxford's primary production zones.
“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,” said Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for production.
In the medium term the factory will reach a production capacity of around 200,000 cars per year, with ICE and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) initially being built on the same production line.
“MINI has always been aware of its history – Oxford is and remains 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,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of the MINI brand.
“The continuing high demand for our locally emission-free vehicles shows the openness of the global MINI community to electromobility, which we will be able to serve optimally in the future, also thanks to Oxford.”
The investment announcement will have far-reaching effects on Oxford's primary production zones. Notably, it will involve enhancing the current production lines, primarily through the expansion of the existing body shop and the establishment of a dedicated area for battery installation.
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