BMW Group has announced a new investment of more than £600 million in the Mini factories at Oxford and Swindon. The Oxford plant is gearing-up to build two new all-electric Mini models from 2026, the 3-door Mini Cooper and the compact crossover Mini Aceman. In the medium term, ICE and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be built on the same production line and next year the plant will start producing the next generation Mini 3-door and Mini 5-door with combustion engines, as well as the new Mini Convertible. Although by 2030 production will be exclusively electric and the BMW Group will have spent over £3bn on its Swindon, Hams Hall, and Oxford plants since 2000.
“With this new investment we will develop the Oxford plant for production of the new generation of electric Mini s and set the path for purely electric car manufacturing in the future,” said Milan Nedeljković, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG responsible for production.
This development has been supported by the UK Government and will help to secure jobs at the Oxford manufacturing plant and at the body-pressing facility in Swindon. “BMW Group’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future,” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. “By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the country.”
Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch added, “This decision is a big vote of confidence in the UK economy and the work of this Government to ensure the continued strength of our world-leading automotive sector. We are proud to be able to support BMW Group’s investment, which will secure high-quality jobs, strengthen our supply chains, and boost Britain’s economic growth”.
The Oxford plant celebrated its 110th anniversary this year and has been successfully producing the current Mini Electric since 2019, where it is fully integrated into the production line with the conventional (ICE) models.
“Mini has always been aware of its history,” said Stefanie Wurst, Head of the Mini brand. “Oxford is and remains 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. The continuing high demand for our locally emission-free vehicles shows the openness of the global Mini community to electromobility, which we will be able to serve optimally in the future, also thanks to Oxford”.
Today’s investment announcement will impact all main production areas in Oxford. The existing production lines will be developed further, with the key changes being an extension of the current body shop and a new area for battery installation. Additional logistics facilities will be built on both the Oxford and Swindon sites.
“I am proud to say that our Oxford and Swindon plants will play a central role in the BMW Group’s transition to electromobility,” said Markus Grüneisl, CEO of Plants Oxford and Swindon. “We are determined to continue the historic success story of our plants, producing the most loved British car brand.”
