Future for Mini in Oxford becomes clearer – report

BMW will build the new Mini Electric in China and the new Countryman in Germany, but it’s not quite ready to say cheers to Mini’s spirit home in the UK.

sky news reports BMW is preparing to announce an investment of nearly 500 million pounds ($907 million) in the Oxford, UK factory, about 75 million pounds ($136 million) of which will come from UK Government Automotive Transformation Fund.

Talk to sky news, For “the next generation of Mini, Oxford will produce the majority of Mini models,” a BMW spokesman said.

However, the next generation isn’t one of the recently unveiled all-new Mini models, but instead a powerful upgrade of the car currently on sale. Instead of pure electric power, it is expected to feature updated versions of the current petrol engine.

It is unclear whether this reported investment will focus on Oxford getting ready for next-generation electric vehicles or if it will be more short-term than that.

Previously, a BMW spokesman said Time that “Oxford will always be the home of Mini”.

A spokesman said electric Minis built in the UK would need to be manufactured on an assembly line developed by GWM, in lieu of an existing production line.

With the Mini going to phase out petrol power by 2030, Oxford will need to change something in order for it to survive beyond that point.

Mini will take the first steps towards a new, electric-dominated range in 2023.

Based on the latest information from the Mini, the introduction of its next-generation model will include the following cars:

• classic Bloom 3 Doors, available with gasoline and electric power. It is expected to be smaller than the current car
• Countryman SUV, raised to take on Audi Q3 And Mercedes GLA and with gasoline and electric power
• A new SUV sits between the 3-door Hatch and the Countryman, called Ace
• Another premium compact car in an undisclosed segment, likely based on the Vision Urbanaut
• A new Convertible, coming in 2025