Future for Mini in Oxford turns into clearer – report

BMW will construct the brand new Mini Electrical in China, and the brand new Countryman in Germany, however it’s not able to say cheerio to Mini’s non secular dwelling within the UK simply but.

Sky Information experiences BMW is gearing as much as announce an funding price shut £500 million ($907m) within the Oxford, UK plant, round £75m ($136m) of which can come from the UK Authorities’s Automotive Transformation Fund.

Talking with Sky Information, a BMW spokesperson mentioned for the “subsequent Mini technology, Oxford will produce nearly all of Mini fashions”.

Nevertheless that next-generation isn’t one of many all-new Mini fashions not too long ago teased, however as a substitute a heavy facelift of the automobile at present on sale. Slightly than pure-electric energy, it’s anticipated to function up to date variations of the present petrol engines.

It’s not clear if this reported funding can be targeted on getting Oxford prepared for next-generation electrical autos, or if it is going to be shorter-term than that.

Beforehand, a BMW spokesperson has instructed The Instances that “Oxford will all the time be the house of Mini”.

The spokesperson mentioned electrical Minis constructed within the UK would have to be made on an meeting line developed by GWM, instead of the prevailing manufacturing traces.

Given Mini is phasing out petrol energy by 2030, one thing might want to change at Oxford for it to dwell past that time.

Mini will take its first steps towards a brand new, electric-dominated vary in 2023.

Primarily based on the newest data from Mini, its next-generation mannequin rollout will embody the next automobiles:

• The basic 3-Door Hatch, out there with petrol and electrical energy. It’s anticipated to be smaller than the present automobile
• The Countryman SUV, grown as much as tackle the Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA and with petrol and electrical energy
• A brand new SUV to fit between the 3-Door Hatch and Countryman, known as the Aceman
• One other premium compact automobile in an as-yet unrevealed phase, probably primarily based on the Imaginative and prescient Urbanaut
• A brand new Convertible, due in 2025