German car giant BMW has announced plans to invest more than £600 million in their Mini factories in Oxford and Swindon, in order to build a new generation of electric cars – exclusively producing them by 2030.
Plant Oxford has always been the driving force in MINI’s history and celebrated its 110th anniversary this year, crafting up to 1000 MINIs day.
The company will be making key improvements to the plant’s body shop, adding a new battery installation area, and building logistics facilities at both their Oxford and Swindon site.
Plant Oxford will be saying hello to a new generation of MINI models, including the brand-new MINI Cooper 3-door and MINI Cooper 5-door in Oxford from 2024, with further models joining them in 2026.
This exciting new development will help secure jobs, and is supported by the UK Government – with funding worth £75m.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “BMW Group’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.”
This is the latest in a series of government-backed investments designed to promote the development of electric vehicles in Britain, ahead of a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered cars due to take effect in 2035.
