BMW to shut Mini factory for a month after Brexit to minimise risk to production
BMW will shut its Mini factory in Oxford for a month after Britain leaves the EU as it prepares for the possibility of a no-deal Brexit.
The company has moved its annual summer shutdown to April, coinciding with Brexit to minimise the risk of any “short-term parts-supply” disruption in the event of a no-deal.
It comes just hours after Honda Europe's senior vice president Ian Howells warned a no-deal would harm its competitiveness at its Swindon plant.
Yesterday Jaguar Land Rover announced plans to move its Birmingham factory to a three-day week citing headwinds caused by Brexit.
BMW had previously warned that delays along the supply chain, particularly due to customs checks, would hit production and profits.
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It also called for more clarity from the government regarding the impact of Brexit.
Production of BMW's electric Mini is expected to begin next year at the Oxford factory.
A spokesperson for BMW said: “Planned annual maintenance periods at BMW Group production sites allow essential updating and equipment replacement to be completed over several weeks, while there is no production taking place.
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“As a responsible organisation, we have scheduled next year’s annual maintenance period at Mini Plant Oxford to start on 1 April, when the UK exits the EU, to minimise the risk of any possible short-term parts-supply disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
“While we believe this worst case scenario is an unlikely outcome, we have to plan for it.”