BMW to invest £250 million in UK operations
10 Jul 2012
German carmaker BMW plans to invest £250 million over the next three years to ramp up capacity at the British manufacturing plants where it makes the Mini.
According to the world's largest luxury carmaker, the investment would support its international growth plans for the Mini, which would expand its current line-up of seven models to include around 10 different body styles in over the medium term.
The money would go towards ensuring that its engine plant in Hams Hall in the West Midlands and the steel pressing facility in Swindon in south-west England were in a position to roll out more motors and car body panels.
The investment would safeguard the 5,500 jobs at BMW's three UK Mini plants, but no new jobs are expected.
UK business secretary Vince Cable said, "The investment of 250 million pounds in addition to the 500 million last year demonstrates BMW's commitment to the UK and safeguards jobs for the future."
Carmakers seem to be keen to ensure that their UK plants continued operations. General Motors did not allow its Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port to be affected by European cutbacks.
