Mini concept cars drive job creation in Oxfordshire

BMW is tipped to be producing two new Mini concept cars at its Cowley plant in Oxfordshire next year.

It is hoped that this will create up to 1 000 new jobs in the South East, although this number has not been confirmed.

“It’s far too early to say,” a BMW spokesperson told the Oxford Mail.

“It points to a bright future. It’s fantastic news for the plant and fantastic news for Oxford.”

Economic pressures forced BMW’s Cowley plant to make 850 job cuts earlier this year, but the factory rehired most of the workers a few months later due to a boom in sales.   

Lord Mandelson, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, believes the production of two new Minis is “very good news” for Oxford and the UK car industry as a whole.

“It is a demonstration of BMW’s long-term commitment to the UK,” he said.

“British drivers have had a long love affair with the Mini and I’m sure that this will continue for many years to come.”

Oxford East MP Andrew Smith has also welcomed the announcement.

“This is great news for Oxford and British manufacturing and a real credit to the enormous achievement of the Cowley workforce,” he said. 

“There is not a city in the world that wouldn’t give a lot to be hearing this news.

It bears out everything BMW have told me about their high regard for the Cowley plant and their plans for the Mini. I am keen to see extra jobs at the plant and that prospect underlines the importance of extra housing in the Oxford area, so that people can live and work locally.”

Keith Mitchell, the leader of the Oxfordshire County Council, said it was the best news possible for the city and the whole of the county.