Electric car production at Mini’s Oxford plant has been delayed for an unspecified period of time, with the worldwide slowdown of EV sales to blame, according to the firm.
The decision was confirmed to Autocar this evening [Friday] by Mini’s parent company, the BMW Group. The German firm previously announced all non-Chinese-market production of the electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman would be moved to Oxford from China in 2026.
More than £600 million has already been spent readying the factory, and the nearby Swindon body pressing plant, for electric car production. That money has chiefly funded an extension of the body shop, the construction of a new area for battery installation and new logistics facilities - the latter already built.
A spokesperson said: “Given the multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry, the BMW Group is currently reviewing the timing for reintroducing battery-electric Mini production in Oxford.”
The spokesperson added that a previously announced government grant - of an unspecified amount – that was also due to be invested in the plant will now not be taken.
EV sales in Europe stalled in 2024, with their market share shrinking to 15.4% from 15.7% in 2023, according to figures from Jato Dynamics. It attributed the slump to the withdrawal of incentives, as well as the high average price of EVs.
The decline was highlighted further as petrol models rose from a market share of 47.9% to 48.4% and hybrids from 9.9% to 11.8%.
Such is the slowdown of EV sales that car makers have already begun to rewrite their previously confirmed all-electric timelines. The likes of Mercedes-Benz and Audi, for example, have extended the lives of some hybrid models in the face of falling EV sales.
Mini Oxford employs some 4000 workers and produces cars for markets around the globe including the UK. It currently builds petrol-engined versions of the new Cooper and from 2030 was due to switch to 100% EV production.
Previously announced plans for the plant targeted a top-end output of 200,000 cars of both types annually between 2026 and 2030.
The plant began producing the BMW Group’s first Mini in 2000 and 19 years later built the electric version of the last-generation hatch. At its peak, that car accounted for a quarter of the plant’s output last year, making it the UK’s biggest producer of EVs.
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Strange how a gov consultation on BEVs in the UK finishes this month. Emmm maybe BMW will be holding this over Sir Flip Flop.
Global slowdown of EV sales?! 17.1 million new EVs sold across the world last year, an increase of 25% on 2023. U.K sales up 21% for a new record, up 40% in China and 9% in North America. Sales also rose in Africa and Latin America. But you can rely on Autocar to put their usual negative spin on anything related to EV sales!
Sales may look good in percentage terms but they are way below the expected government targets. Hence the manufacturers slow down of ev production.
There was also a hefty amount of last minute fleet deals and dealer pre registering of EV's at the end of the year to try and avoid government penalties.
Facts are facts. To say things were last minute, pre registering etc is just losing talk from an anti BEV perspective.
BMW, Mercedes might be making mistakes but Renault, Kia, Fiat, MG certainly aren't.
Heavens..
How will Autocar and Autoexpress survive when the Manufacturers stop paying for all of the EV articles that they both churn out?
Are you implying Autocar paid Mini for this article, where's your proof.