Oxford and Swindon Mini factories safe as BMW announces major investment
BMW Group has announced a new investment of more than £600 million in the MINI factories at Oxford and Swindon. “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.
The Oxford plant is gearing-up to build two new all-electric MINI models from 2026, the MINI Cooper 3-door and the compact crossover MINI Aceman. By 2030 production volume will be exclusively electric and the BMW Group will have spent more than £3 billionn on its Swindon, Hams Hall (West Midlands) and Oxford plants since 2000.
This development has been supported by the UK Government and will help to secure jobs at the Oxford manufacturing plant and at the body-pressing facility in Swindon.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: “This decision is a big vote of confidence in the UK economy and the work of this Government to ensure the continued strength of our world-leading automotive sector. 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.”
Ahead of a visit to the Mini plant in Oxford, Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch said: "The total investment in the UK automotive sector is set to reach over £6 billion in just the last two years, ensuring our car industry can look ahead to a bright and successful future under this Government.
The UK investment will be backed by funding from the government's Automotive Transformation Fund - understood to be worth £75 million.
The Oxford plant celebrated its 110th anniversary this year and has been successfully producing the current MINI Electric since 2019, where it is fully integrated into the production line with the conventional (ICE) models.
Stefanie Wurst, Head of the MINI brand, says, “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. 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, also thanks to Oxford”.
Last week, the Government announced that more than £50 million of government funding has been awarded to 30 manufacturing projects including rapid-charging motorcycles and self-driving cars, cementing the UK as one of the best locations in the world to manufacture.
The government said that the manufacturing sector plays a vital role in the UK’s economy and the Chancellor has identified advanced manufacturing as one of five key growth sectors.
Visit Hampshire Biz News for bright, upbeat and positive business news from the county
