BMW Pumps £600M into UK Mini EV Factory Revamp
BMW has announced a massive £600 million investment to electrify its Mini factory near Oxford. The Cowley plant, home to over 4,000 workers, will get a cutting-edge makeover to produce the next generation of electric Minis starting in 2026.
This bold move secures the factory’s future and signals BMW’s commitment to an electric revolution.
Mini Goes Electric: New Models on the Horizon
- Two new electric Minis – including the iconic Mini Cooper and the larger Mini Aceman – will hit production lines at Cowley from 2026.
- Battery installation zones and enhanced body shops will be built.
- Swindon factory, which makes body panels, will also get new logistics facilities.
- The third electric model, the Countryman, will be produced in Germany.
BMW’s electrification push will see new Minis roll off the same line as petrol versions, blending tradition with innovation.
Government Chips In £75 Million to Boost EV Future
The UK government is backing the project with around £75 million in funding, highlighting the importance of keeping UK auto jobs alive and driving the green transition.
BMW said this strategic partnership “underlines the UK’s role in the future of sustainable transport.”
Wizz Air Prepares for Engine Inspection Hits
Budget airline Wizz Air faces a 10% capacity cut in late 2024 due to mandatory checks on Pratt & Whitney turbofan engines. Aerospace giant RTX revealed 600-700 engines need urgent inspection for microscopic cracks.
This is set to ground some aircraft, hitting airlines hard during a post-pandemic travel boom. Wizz Air, running a fleet of Airbus jets, is especially vulnerable.
The airline vows to work closely with Pratt & Whitney to limit disruptions and seek compensation for the hit. Meanwhile, German engine partner MTU Aero Engines warns of potential profit hits tied to these inspections, sparking industry-wide concern.
