German firm BMW announced a £500m UK investment, more than doubling the funding from Japanese firm Nissan that was announced earlier this week.
Bayerische Motoren Weke AG (BMW) confirmed to The Telegraph that they would be manufacture the latest BMW Mini model at a yet unnamed plant, although it will be one of three already producing BMW.
This came just hours after Nissan confirmed it would be both designing and producing its new vehicle in the UK. The Qashqai will start life at the Japanese firms UK design centre in Paddington before going to development in Cranfield and finally production in Sunderland.
CEO of Nissan, Carlos Ghosn said: "The UK has been a cornerstone of Nissan manufacturing since 1986."
The announcement brings the total ‘inward investment’ for Britain to around £700m.
A Management Today report described how the double announcement will not just save jobs but also increase the British auto manufacturing industries profile, as it becomes in the case of Nissan Sunderland one of the world’s only zero emissions production plant.
Production at Nissan Sunderland is amongst the most respected in the world as it manages to source Nissan parts and spares from external sources before bringing them together during the manufacturing process.
BMW’s announcement although not location confirmed is expected to save jobs in Oxford, Swindon and Birmingham. Experts from the firm also revealed the importance of producing the Mini in its home market saying the target audience in places such as the far east want the British heritage that surrounds vehicles like the Mini, something that is impossible to mimic.
