Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

BMW to Move UK Mini Plant Maintenance Closure Just After Brexit in Case of No Deal

German carmaker BMW said it will move the annual maintenance shutdown period for its British Mini plant to just after Britain is due to leave the European Union in April, in case there is no Brexit deal.

Carmakers generally close their factories over the summer for a few weeks to allow for retooling and repair work as many staff take vacations and sales are at their lowest ebb in the year.


"We have scheduled next year’s annual maintenance period at MINI Plant Oxford to start on April 1, 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," BMW said.

"While we believe this worst-case scenario is an unlikely outcome, we have to plan for it."

Britain is due to the leave the EU on March 29 but London and Brussels have yet to agree the terms of a deal, with prime minister Theresa May battling to have her proposals accepted by many Brexiteers who want a cleaner break from the bloc.

BMW built nearly 220,000 cars at its southern English Oxford plant last year, accounting for 13 per cent of Britain's total car production of 1.67 million units.

But carmakers are worried that Brexit may impose customs checks on parts and finished models, adding costly delays to the manufacturing process.

The automotive sector, which employs more than 850,000 people in Britain, has warned that extra costs risk the viability of production sites.

Britain's biggest carmaker Jaguar Land Rover said on Monday (17) that it would go down to a three-day week at its Castle Bromwich plant from October until the beginning of December, after warning about the impact of Brexit and diesel policy.

BMW said it was sticking by its British production sites, which also include a Rolls-Royce car facility, an engine facility and a fourth site which houses a press shop and sub-assembly.

"We remain committed to our operations in Britain, which is the only country in the world where we manufacture for all three of our automotive brands," BMW said.

Reuters

More For You

FTSE 100

A man walks past a ticker tape display with values for silver, the British Pound and the Euro on April 7, 2025 in London.

Getty Images

FTSE 100 drops to lowest since February 2024 amid tariff concerns

THE FTSE 100 dropped to its lowest level in almost 14 months on Monday as concerns over a recession grew following US president Donald Trump’s renewed push on tariffs, which unsettled global markets.

By 1012 GMT, the FTSE 100 index had fallen 3.8 per cent, reaching its lowest point since February 2024.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tata-Motors-Reuters

Tata Motors shares fall 10 per cent after JLR halts US exports

SHARES of Tata Motors dropped 10 per cent on Monday after its luxury unit Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suspended exports of its British-made cars to the United States.

The move follows the implementation of a 25 per cent import tariff by US president Donald Trump.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Reuters

Starmer said on Sunday that he was ready to step in to support affected industries, and later announced a plan to help the UK auto sector. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Starmer unveils plan to support carmakers hit by tariffs

THE GOVERNMENT on Sunday announced measures to support carmakers in their shift to electric vehicles, as the auto industry faces pressure from new international trade rules.

Washington recently introduced new tariffs, including a 25 per cent levy on vehicles imported into the United States, impacting global carmakers.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar Land Rover to 'pause' shipments to US over tariffs

Jaguar and Land Rover, the British vehicle-brand logos of Indian-owned Tata Motors, are displayed in front of their showroom in New Delhi, India, April 2, 2025. REUTERS/Priyanshu Singh

Jaguar Land Rover to 'pause' shipments to US over tariffs

JAGUAR LAND ROVER will pause shipments of its Britain-made cars to the US for a month, it said, as it considers how to mitigate the cost of president Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff.

Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by India's Tata Motors, confirmed the temporary export suspension after the Times newspaper reported the plan.

Keep ReadingShow less
Report exposes finance industry's failure to promote women

The slow progress was attributed to restructuring, low turnover in senior management and hiring freezes. (Photo: Getty Images)

Report exposes finance industry's failure to promote women

FINANCIAL INDUSTRY in the country has made little progress in recruiting more women to top positions, a new report from the finance ministry said on Thursday (3), a pace of change the head of British insurer Aviva called "unacceptable".

Further progress may be harder as financial firms and other companies try to balance promises they have made with US president Donald Trump's drive to crack down on diversity and inclusion-related goals.

Keep ReadingShow less