In a strategic move towards an all-electric future, BMW Group is set to invest over £600 million in its Mini production facilities located in Oxford and Swindon. This substantial capital injection is geared towards gearing up the Oxford plant for the production of two new all-electric Mini models scheduled to debut in 2026: the 3-door Mini Cooper and the compact crossover Mini Aceman.
An additional electric model, the Countryman, will find its genesis in Germany. By the target year of 2030, the production landscape will be entirely transformed, exclusively focusing on electric vehicles. This substantial allocation brings BMW Group’s investment in Swindon, Hams Hall, and Oxford plants to an impressive total of over £3 billion since the turn of the millennium.
Milan Nedeljković, a member of the board of management of BMW AG overseeing production, commented, “With this new investment, we will evolve the Oxford plant into a hub for the production of the next generation of electric Minis, setting a decisive course for a future characterised by purely electric vehicle manufacturing.”
This forward-looking investment initiative has garnered the support of the UK Government, reinforcing job security at the Oxford manufacturing plant and the body-pressing facility in Swindon.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak lauded the move, stating, “BMW Group’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the best place to build cars of the future. 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 echoed these sentiments, asserting, “This decision is a significant 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.”
Celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, the Oxford plant has already demonstrated its proficiency by successfully producing the current Mini Electric since 2019, seamlessly integrated into the production line alongside its conventional Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) counterparts.
Stefanie Wurst, head of the Mini brand, expressed her delight, stating, “Mini has always been aware of its history – 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 unwavering demand for locally emission-free vehicles reflects the global Mini community’s embrace of electromobility, a trend that Oxford is poised to adeptly cater to in the coming years.
Currently, the Mini plant Oxford is responsible for the production of the Mini 3-door, the Mini 5-door, the Mini Clubman, and the Mini Electric. Beginning in 2024, it will expand its portfolio to include the next generation Mini 3-door and Mini 5-door with combustion engines, alongside the new Mini Convertible. These offerings will be complemented by the introduction of the new all-electric vehicles in 2026 – the Mini Cooper 3-door and the Mini Aceman.
Envisioning a robust future, the factory anticipates reaching a production capacity of approximately 200,000 cars annually in the medium term. During this transitional phase, Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will share the same production line. However, come 2030, the Oxford Plant will exclusively produce all-electric Mini models.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), hailed BMW’s transformative decision, characterising it as “yet another vote of confidence in UK automotive manufacturing.” This landmark investment not only secures the enduring legacy of a global icon but also underscores the nation’s prowess in electric vehicle production.
Indeed, British automotive manufacturing stands poised with its unique advantages—a highly skilled, productive workforce, state-of-the-art facilities, a dynamic supply chain, and world-class research and development capabilities—all of which must be amplified in the face of relentless global competition. Investments of this magnitude serve to enhance productivity, fostering job creation, economic growth, and tangible benefits for the nation.
A veritable cornerstone of its community for over a century, the Mini Plant Oxford stands as a testament to the symbiotic relationship between industry and locality. With a workforce exceeding 3,400 individuals, the facility orchestrates the production of up to 1,000 Minis daily—an astounding feat accomplished every 67 seconds.
Ranked as the third-largest vehicle producer in the UK, by the close of this year, the plant will have proudly borne the mantle of producing over 13 million vehicles, representing 14 different marques.
