Tuesday twenty fifth February, 2025 09:40 AM|
BMW has confirmed it’s delaying the reintroduction of electrical car manufacturing at its Oxford Mini plant. The car producer mentioned “multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry” had led to its resolution to pause work on the £600m improve of its plant in Cowley.
It mentioned it had determined to not settle for a associated £60m grant from the federal government however remained in “close dialogue”. The UK automotive trade has been in a long-running debate with the federal government over its targets for electrical car manufacturing.
Car makers have argued that the variety of electrical autos they’re anticipated to promote on this and coming years is just too excessive.
Earlier this yr, the federal government ran a fast-track session on adjustments to this coverage, referred to as the zero emission car (ZEV) mandate. Last November, Stellantis cited the mandate as one of many causes it determined to shut its van manufacturing unit in Luton.
An announcement from Mini proprietor BMW mentioned: “Plant Oxford is on the coronary heart of Mini manufacturing, manufacturing and exporting a spread of fashions, that are wanted within the UK and all over the world.
“However, given the multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry, the BMW Group is currently reviewing the timing for reintroducing battery-electric Mini production in Oxford.”
It mentioned a lot of the funding was progressing, with development “well under way to make the plant future-ready”, together with a mission to construct a brand new “state-of-the-art logistics facility”.