- BMW set to announce multi-million pound investment in the UK,
in latest major vote of confidence in UK Government plans for the
car industry
- Announcement brings total investment into the automotive
sector to over £6bn in recent years, securing jobs and promoting
economic growth
- Other major investments include over £4bn from Tata to build
a new gigafactory in the UK, and £1bn from Nissan and AESC to
create an EV manufacturing hub in Sunderland
Ahead of a visit to the MINI plant in Oxford, Business
and Trade Secretary has today hailed the success
of the UK Government’s plan for automotive, as the sector looks
ahead to a bright future thanks to over £6 billion investment
over the last two years.
This comes as BMW are set to announce a multi-million pound
investment to transform their Oxford plant, securing 4000
high-quality jobs and strengthening the electric vehicle supply
chain. The news follows extensive government engagement and
support.
The Government is securing investment from industry by providing
support for new plants and upgrades to ensure that the UK
automotive industry thrives long into the future.
Last week Stellantis, makers of Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and
Fiat, announced the start of electric vehicle production after
their £100m investment to make their site in Ellesmere Port their
first globally dedicated solely to producing EVs.
Other recent major investments also include a landmark investment
of over £4bn from Tata to build a new gigafactory supplying
batteries, £1 billion from Nissan and AESC to create an EV
manufacturing hub in Sunderland, and £380m from Ford to make
Halewood their first EV components site in Europe.
Prime Minister said:
“BMW’s investment is another shining example of how the UK is the
best place to build cars of the future.
“By backing our car manufacturing industry, we are securing
thousands of jobs and growing our economy right across the
country.”
Business and Trade Secretary said:
“Today’s announcement by BMW, coming a week after electric
vehicle production started at Stellantis’s site at Ellesmere
Port, clearly shows that the Government’s plan for the automotive
sector is working.
“Working in partnership with the car industry, we are securing
high-quality jobs and investment and boosting economic growth.
“The total investment in the UK automotive sector is set to reach
over £6bn in just the last two years, ensuring our car industry
can look ahead to a bright and successful future under this
Government.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer said:
“The UK has a proud history of manufacturing and BMW’s investment
is a huge vote of confidence in this country as a global leader
in electric vehicles.
“And following Stellantis beginning electric vehicle production
at Ellesmere Port, just last week, to Tata’s gigafactory, this
industry is motoring, creating thousands of jobs and powering our
green transition.”
There is a longstanding and comprehensive programme of support
for the UK automotive sector, including the Advanced Propulsion
Centre, the Automotive Transformation Fund, Faraday Battery
Challenge and Driving the Electric Revolution.
Just last week, the Government announced that over £50 million of
government funding has been awarded to 30 cutting-edge
manufacturing projects including rapid-charging motorcycles and
self-driving cars, cementing the UK as one of the best locations
in the world to manufacture.
The Government is committed to the future of UK manufacturing,
maintaining a competitive business environment and reducing the
burden on business.
The manufacturing sector plays a vital role in the UK’s economy
and the Chancellor has identified advanced manufacturing as one
of five key growth sectors.
Notes to editors:
- A press notice from BMW Group will follow at 11am Monday
morning.
- Companies continue to show confidence in the UK, announcing
major investments across the country including:
-
- Over £4bn from Tata to build a new gigafactory in the UK;
- £1 billion from Nissan and AESC to create an EV
manufacturing hub in Sunderland;
- £380m from Ford to make Halewood their first EV
components site in Europe.
- £100m from Stellantis for their site in Ellesmere Port in
the production of electric drive units; and
- £60m from Johnson Matthey in Hertfordshire to develop
hydrogen technologies.
- We have a longstanding and comprehensive programme of support
for the UK automotive sector, including the Advanced Propulsion
Centre, Faraday Battery Challenge and Driving the Electric
Revolution.
- We continue to work with investors through the Automotive
Transformation Fund (ATF) to build a globally competitive
electric vehicle supply chain in the UK.
