Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
E-MINI MARVEL
BMW will build electric model at Cowley plant
THE first fully electric Mini will be built in Britain from 2019, giving a huge boost to the UK car industry.
BMW announced that the new threedoor electric Mini’s motors and batteries would be built in its factories in Germany before being integrated into the car at the Cowley plant near Oxford.
The announcement brings an end to months of uncertainty for Cowley workers, who produce a “Mini a minute” and who have helped bring record sales.
BMW had warned it was considering making the electric Mini on the Conti- nent because uncertainty from Brexit was “not helpful when it comes to making long-term business decisions”.
BMW, which employs 18,000 people in its UK plants, said it did not ask for, or receive, any assurances from the Government before making its decision. Unite boss Len Mccluskey said the decision was a tribute to the Cowley factory’s “world-class workforce”.
He said: “Around the world and for generations the Mini means made in Britain. With the electric Mini being built in Cowley the tradition continues. It is fantastic news and is in no small part down to the tremendous skills and efficiency of BMW’S UK workers.”
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “This landmark decision is a vote of confidence in the determination of our Industrial Strategy to make Britain the go-to place in the world for the next generation of vehicles.
“BMW’S decision recognises the strength of the excellent workforce.
“The automotive industry is a great British success story. We want to see the sector continue to innovate and grow.”