China will take over production of the Electric Mini from Oxford
Image credit: EVMagz
Despite transferring the production of some of its electric vehicles to China, BMW maintains that Oxford will “remain at the heart of Mini production.”
The first electric Mini was constructed at the city’s Cowley facility in 2020. By 2030, all Minis will be electric.
BMW announced that production of its electrified Mini hatchback and small SUV will begin in China. In Leipzig, Germany, the company’s electric Countryman model will be produced.
According to a spokeswoman, Oxford’s employment situation won’t change.
In 2018, BMW announced that it had reached an agreement with Chinese automaker Great Wall Motor under which the companies would construct electrified vehicles both in Oxford and China.
According to the article, the Mini Cooper three-door and five-door Hatch versions will be assembled at Cowley. As of 2025, Plant Oxford will also produce the Mini Convertible.
This car, which is among our most significant and a best-seller on a global scale, further demonstrates our dedication to the future. A spokeswoman for BMW confirmed that Plant Oxford would continue to be the hub of Mini manufacturing.
“Oxford, with its high level of flexibility, competitiveness, and knowledge – including in the field of electromobility – plays a significant part in the manufacturing strategy of the BMW Group. There is no effect on employment, “they added.
The head of Oxford City Council, Susan Brown, said: “I have asked BMW for reassurance and understand that while BMW is looking to rebalance the production of its Mini range globally as it moves towards being entirely electric by 2030, there is an ongoing commitment to the city, building on significant recent investments in the Cowley plant.”