Oxford: BMW to make post-Brexit electric Mini in Thames Valley
BMW will build the electric Mini in Oxford despite speculation that Britain's departure from the EU would mean that production would switch to overseas.
The decision is a significant endorsement of Cowley and the wider Thames Valley and was welcomed by the Mini workforce.
Britain’s largest union, Unite, hailed the skills and efficiency of BMW’s UK workforce as the car maker today announced that the next generation electric Mini will be built at Cowley.
Welcoming the news, Unite urged the UK government to get behind the Mini workforce by urgently investing in the developing electric car industry - primarily the charging infrastructure needed to ensure electric vehicles become a part of driver' lives in the UK.
The announcement brings an end to months of uncertainty for the workers who produce a 'Mini a minute' and who have helped deliver record sales for BMW.
Commenting Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “This announcement is a huge and totally deserved boost to a world-class workforce that has endured a tough few months.
"Around the world and for generations the Mini means made in Britain. With the electric Mini being built in Cowley the tradition continues but with the added bonus that this is one of the important innovations of tomorrow. It is fantastic news and is in no small part down to the tremendous skills and efficiency of BMW’s UK workers and our members.
“Throughout the years Mini workers have shown themselves to be leaders in innovation. It is only right that this tradition continues with the next generation electric Mini being built here in the UK."
Len McCluskey added that the government must also move into delivery mode for our manufacturing sector: “Now we need to back manufacturing workers by putting the UK in the fast lane of electric motoring, committing to investing in the charging infrastructure needed to power the electric Minis of tomorrow.
"The government must play its part with a set of serious proposals to invest in our manufacturing future, the bedrock of wealth creation in this country.”
