BMW to invest £600m in UK Mini plants
BMW is set to build its next-generation electric Mini in Oxford as part of a £600 million investment from the German manufacturer.
A new factory in Cowley, Oxfordshire will secure the future of the Mini brand in the UK, as well as around 4,000 jobs. Sky News revealed earlier this year that BMW was preparing to invest in its existing plant in the city, supported by £75m in government funding.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “BMW’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future. By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the country.”
The announcement is set to be officially announced this afternoon, and BMW is expected to reveal that the £600m investment will be spent on updating the Cowley plant, developing the production lines, extending its body shop and building a new area for installing batteries.
According to the BBC, it also plans to build additional logistics facilities at Cowley and at the Swindon factory which makes body panels for new vehicles.
The investment will help facilitate the production of two new electric models, the Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman, whilst the electric Countryman will be manufactured in Germany.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “At a time when people are concerned about what the future is going to be like for the auto industry, what we’re saying is that we’re doing a lot and it is working.”
BMW’s investment is another boost for the UK electric vehicle market, following the news of Stellantis’ Ellesmere Port plant beginning production of EVs this month.
Earlier this year, Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata Motors also chose Britain as the destination for its multi-billion pound electric vehicle battery plant.
