In a groundbreaking move, BMW has announced a substantial investment of £600 million into its Mini factories located in Oxford and Swindon. This strategic infusion of
capital is aimed at transitioning the Cowley plant in Oxford into a fully electric production facility by the year 2030.
As part of this transformation, two brand-new all-electric Mini models are set to roll off the assembly lines at the Cowley plant starting in 2026. This significant commitment from BMW represents a substantial increase in the company's total investment in the UK, which has now reached an impressive £3 billion since the year 2000.
The £600 million investment will be evenly distributed between the Oxford and Swindon plants, with the former being specially equipped to manufacture the 3-door Mini Cooper and the compact crossover Mini Aceman.
This initiative has garnered praise from UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who hailed it as "another shining example of the UK being the best place to build cars of the future." Sunak emphasized the importance of supporting the automotive manufacturing industry, noting that it not only secures thousands of jobs but also contributes to economic growth across the country.
Milan Nedeljkovic, a member of BMW's board of management responsible for production, underscored the significance of this investment by stating, "With this new investment, we will develop the Oxford plant for the production of the new generation of electric MINIs and set the path for purely electric car manufacturing in the future."
The Oxford MINI plant currently produces a range of Mini models, including the MINI 3-door, MINI 5-door, MINI Clubman, and MINI Electric. Starting in 2024, the plant will introduce the next generation of MINI 3-door and MINI 5-door models with combustion engines, alongside the new MINI Convertible. These will be joined by the new all-electric vehicles in 2026.
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch lauded this investment as a "big vote of confidence in the UK economy" and reassured that the government would actively support the continued growth of the automotive sector. She emphasized the positive impact on job security, supply chains, and overall economic growth in Britain.
This announcement follows earlier reports in the Oxford Mail regarding job reductions among temporary staff due to changes in shift patterns and the phasing out of older vehicle models. Oxford MP Anneliese Dodds clarified that these job cuts primarily targeted temporary staff, and BMW was making efforts to retain as many employees as possible within the business.
Notably, the Oxford plant has played a significant role in the UK's electric vehicle manufacturing landscape. In 2022, it was responsible for producing more than 50% of all fully electric vehicles in the country. Having celebrated its 110th anniversary this year, the Oxford plant continues to be at the forefront of the MINI brand's legacy.
Stefanie Wurst, Head of the MINI brand, expressed her enthusiasm for this transformation by affirming, "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." Photo by Lobster1, Wikimedia commons.