Advertisement

Electric Mini to be built at Oxfordshire plant

A fully electric version of the Mini is to be built at Cowley near Oxford, giving a huge boost to the car industry.

View all 2 updates ›

BMW's electric Mini to be built at Cowley

The car will go into production in 2019 Credit: ITV

A fully electric version of the Mini is to be built in the UK, giving a huge boost to the car industry.

The firm's German owners BMW said the new model's electric drive train will be built at its plants in Bavaria before being integrated into the car at Cowley, near Oxford.

The car will be a variant of its three-door hatch model and will go into production in 2019.

This landmark decision is a vote of confidence in the determination of our Industrial Strategy to make Britain the go-to place in the world for the next generation of vehicles.

BMW's decision recognises the strength of the excellent workforce, our record of innovation and the productive relationship between the automotive sector and the Government.

The automotive industry is a great British success story and the Mini is a big part of that. UK car production hit a 10-year high last year, with 1.7 million cars made and over 800,000 people employed across the wider industry.

We want to see the sector continue to innovate and grow here in the UK, supported by initiatives such as the new battery institute as part of our Industrial Strategy.

BMW said it did not ask for or receive any assurances from the Government before making its decision.

A handful of new jobs might be created at Cowley, which currently produces 1,000 Minis a day.

– Business Secretary Greg Clark

More top news