BMW Group has unveiled plans to invest approximately $750 million in a UK facility for its Mini sub-brand, fueling speculation about the marque’s future. The funds will likely be utilised to refurbish the Oxford facility, enabling the production of entirely electric MINI vehicles, as the model is poised to transition to 100% electric within the next few years.
By the spring of 2021, the MINI brand within the BMW Group announced plans to phase out the promotion of gasoline-powered vehicles entirely by 2030. The widespread adoption of electric vehicles is unlikely to gain momentum until 2025, when MINI discontinues its last gasoline-powered model that same year.
As Mini expands its electric offerings, the brand is introducing new models that will thrill loyal fans and newcomers alike.
We recently showcased a production-ready version of the restricted-run convertible model of the Mini Cooper SE (as pictured above), which will hit showrooms later this year. In the summer of 2022, MINI unveiled its latest innovation, the Aceman, offering a glimpse into its inaugural all-electric crossover design.
The new Aceman, which includes an all-electric variant of the MINI Cooper three-door model, is set to roll off production lines at an existing UK facility after securing backing from its parent company, the BMW Group.
UK factory to fully switch to electric Mini production by 2030
According to recent updates from BMW Group, a substantial investment of over $752 million is earmarked for MINI’s UK manufacturing facility, with the funds set to propel the compact automaker forward as it prepares to launch two new electric models in 2026, marking a significant step towards its electrification strategy.
By 2030, BMW anticipates a significant milestone: all manufacturing output will shift to fully electric vehicles. This development is marked by a substantial investment of over £3 billion in its UK facilities at Swindon, Hams Corridor, and Oxford since the year 2000. Since 2019, the Oxford plant has exclusively produced electric MINIs, but it’s poised to mark a milestone with the celebration of its 110th anniversary this year? Despite this, the growth of EV manufacturing is unlikely to slow down but rather expand. MINI head Stefanie Wurst elaborated:
The heart of MINI’s heritage beats strong in Oxford, a city that remains integral to the brand’s identity. We’re excited to confirm that our two latest all-electric MINI models, the MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman, will be manufactured at our Oxford facility, marking a significant step towards a fully electric future for the brand. The unwavering enthusiasm for our domestically produced emission-free vehicles demonstrates the global MINI community’s receptiveness to electromobility, which we will cater to comprehensively thanks to our Oxford facility.
As preparations accelerate at Oxford for an enhanced electric vehicle production line, MINI announces that production of its upcoming Cooper three-door and Aceman models is slated to begin in China, with international shipments scheduled to commence in early 2024.
By 2026, Mini will begin producing electric models alongside its traditional combustion-engine offerings, mirroring the production lines for the five-door and Clubman models.
