Swindon’s Mini plant is to benefit from a £250m investment announced today by German carmaker BMW.
The money will expand capacity at the plant, employing around 800 people, along with sister factories at Oxford and Hams Hall in the Midlands, by the end of 2015.
The Swindon plant builds most panels and some sub-assemblies for the Mini which are then taken to the main assembly plant at Oxford.
BMW said the investment would support its international growth strategy for the Mini, which will be expanded to include up to 10 different versions in the model range in the midterm.
BMW board member Harald Krueger said; "Over the last 11 years, Mini has been a unique global success and the BMW Group has even greater plans for the future development of the brand. Plant Oxford has played a major role in this with cars being exported to over 100 countries around the world. This additional investment is great news for all our employees in the UK and shows the BMW Group's commitment to Britain as a vital manufacturing base for us.”
Business secretary Vince Cable said: “BMW’s ambitious plans for Mini will ensure its UK sites at Oxford, Swindon and Hams Hall remain at the centre of Mini production worldwide. The investment of £250m in addition to the £500m last year demonstrates BMW’s commitment to the UK and safeguards jobs for the future.”
BMW has invested £1.75bn in Britain since 2000, including £500m last year.
The CBI welcomed the news, the latest in a string of investments in the UK motor industry. Head of enterprise & innovation policy Dr Tim Bradshaw said: “BMW’s decision to invest in its UK plants re-affirms our position as one of Europe’s leading locations for car production, and will have benefits for the wider automotive supply chain.
“Coming hot on the heels of other recent announcements, this new investment shows the UK automotive sector is in good shape.”
