Latest news with #MINIs
Scottish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Major car brand ‘assessing' jobs at UK plant after as company opens up on ‘difficult decision'
US tariffs have wreaked havoc in the car industry RIDE IT OUT Major car brand 'assessing' jobs at UK plant after as company opens up on 'difficult decision' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) WORKERS' jobs at a major car plant in the UK are hanging in the balance. A major car brand said it is 'assessing' the future of dozens jobs at of its plants. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 The BMW plant's future in Swindon is being 'assessed' Credit: Alamy 3 The BMW plant in Swindon sits side-by-side with a MINI factory Credit: Getty BMW has said jobs at its Swindon Plant "are currently being assessed," casting doubt over the futures of workers. The carmaker announced that it was axing 180 jobs from its Oxford factory on Sunday, amid uncertainty surrounding recently hiked US tariffs. In March, US President Donald Trump declared that a 25% levy would be put in place on all vehicles imported to America from the UK. This has put a significant strain on the British automobile industry. It is currently unclear whether the new UK-US trade deal, announced this afternoon, will have any impact on this 'assessment'. BMW's decision to reduce the workforce at the Oxford plant, could have a knock-on effect of further job cuts may be implemented in Swindon. A spokesperson for BMW Group told The Sun: "Swindon has a much smaller workforce than Oxford and any potential changes would be proportionate to those we've already communicated in Oxford. "Our plants in Oxford and Swindon work closely together, with Swindon producing metal pressings and body components which are then sent to Oxford for final assembly. "Plants Oxford and Swindon remain at the heart of MINI production, together manufacturing and exporting a range of models in strong demand both in the UK and internationally. "As announced in February, in light of the multiple uncertainties currently facing the automotive industry, the BMW Group is reviewing the timeline for reintroducing battery-electric MINI production at Plant Oxford. "As always, discussions about changes to roles must take place with the individuals concerned and relevant trade unions first so we are not in a position to share further details at this stage." BMW's Swindon Plant is situated in Bridge End Road, in Stratton St Margaret. This is adjacent to a MINI Plant, which is also owned by BMW Group. Here, the Swindon plant makes steel panels for MINIs which are produced at the company's Oxford factory. The Swindon factory employs approximately 500 people. BMW M135 is a power-packed hot-hatch that's precise, solid & slick… everything about is 'sheer driving pleasure' The plant produced almost 33 million panels and over 3 million sub-assemblies in 2023. Last year, BMW was granted permission to extend its Swindon factory by more than 2,200 square meters. This was done to improve the factory's efficiency, and to maintain the number of jobs available on site - which are now under threat. A BMW spokesperson told the Swindon Advertiser: "Temporary work is one of the ways that companies can respond flexibly to the high volatility of the global economy. "The BMW Group needs lasting flexibility, which is achieved, among other measures, by using temporary workers. "This means that the number of temporary workers employed can fluctuate over time. "While this is always a difficult decision, the recent adjustment to temporary staffing levels at MINI Plant Oxford was a long-planned measure to align our workforce with current business requirements. "The impact for temporary workers at the Swindon Plant is currently being assessed and will be communicated to the team shortly." The MINI plant in Oxford employs more than 3,500 workers. BMW Group insists that the 180 people who have lost their jobs were all temporary workers. On this decision, a BMW spokesperson said: "While this is always a difficult decision, the recent adjustment to temporary staffing levels at Mini Plant Oxford was a long-planned measure to align our workforce with current business requirements." This is the second round of layoffs at the plant in only two years at the plant, after the company let go of several temporary workers there in September 2023.
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Major car brand ‘assessing' jobs at UK plant after as company opens up on ‘difficult decision'
WORKERS' jobs at a major car plant in the UK are hanging in the balance. A major car brand said it is ' 3 The BMW plant's future in Swindon is being 'assessed' Credit: Alamy 3 The BMW plant in Swindon sits side-by-side with a MINI factory Credit: Getty The carmaker announced that it was axing 180 jobs from its Oxford factory on Sunday, amid In March, US President Donald Trump declared that a 25% levy would be put in place on all vehicles imported to This has put a significant Read more Motors It is currently unclear whether the new BMW's decision to reduce the workforce at the Oxford plant, could have a knock-on effect of further A spokesperson for BMW Group told The Sun: "Swindon has a much smaller workforce than Oxford and any potential changes would be proportionate to those we've already "Our plants in Oxford and Swindon work closely together, with Swindon producing Most read in Motors "Plants Oxford and Swindon remain at the heart of MINI production, together manufacturing and exporting a range of models in strong demand both in the "As announced in February, in light of the multiple "As always, discussions about changes to roles must take place with the individuals concerned and relevant trade unions first so we are not in a position to share further details at this stage." BMW's Swindon Plant is situated in This is adjacent to a Here, the Swindon plant makes steel panels for MINIs which are produced at the The Swindon factory employs approximately 500 BMW M135 is a power-packed hot-hatch that's precise, solid & slick… everything about is 'sheer driving pleasure' The plant produced almost 33 million panels and over 3 million sub- Last year, BMW was granted This was done to improve the factory's efficiency, and to maintain the number of jobs available on site - which are now under A BMW spokesperson told the Swindon Advertiser: " "The BMW Group needs lasting flexibility, which is achieved, among other "This means that the number of temporary workers employed can fluctuate over time. "While this is always a "The impact for temporary workers at the Swindon Plant is currently being assessed and will be communicated to the team shortly." The MINI plant in Oxford employs more than 3,500 workers. BMW Group insists that the 180 people who have On this This is the second round of layoffs at the plant in only two years at the plant, after the company let go of several temporary workers there in September 2023. 3 The MINI plant in Swindon makes steel panels for MINIs which are produced at the company's Oxford factory Credit: Getty
The Guardian
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
‘The most fun I've had while driving': three MINI lovers on the new electric Aceman
'Growing up, MINIs always felt iconically British to me,' says Dean Blackstock from his home in East Peckham, Kent. 'As well as seeing them in films like The Italian Job, my mum owned a little black MINI, so I just knew I'd eventually own one myself.' Three years ago, Blackstock's MINI ambitions came to fruition when he bought a sleek silver MINI Clubman Cooper S. 'It's fun and nippy, but also big enough to ferry my three children to school and to do the family shop,' says Blackstock, 44. 'It's nice to be part of the MINI community – whenever I see another Clubman I always give the driver a little nod of recognition.' Like most MINI fans, chiropractor Blackstock keeps an eye on upcoming iterations of his beloved car, and he's had his interest piqued by the new, all-electric MINI Aceman. 'As a father who cares about his kids' future, the electric element really appeals to me,' he says. 'The design of the Aceman is very striking, and having five doors and plenty of room is also a bonus, especially if you have a family.' With the MINI Aceman already on his radar, Blackstock jumped at the chance to take delivery of a model for a week, so he could see what it could do. 'I was looking forward to seeing how it would handle and fit into family life, and it definitely delivered,' he says. 'It was super-comfortable, super-quiet, and the most fun I've ever had while driving. 'The Aceman has a lovely minimalistic design, and we all loved the panoramic sunroof. There's an almost sci-fi-type sound when you accelerate, so every time I put my foot down I couldn't help smiling. I also noticed some heads turning when I did the school run – it has that element of quirky uniqueness you want from a MINI.' 'We all loved the panoramic sunroof,' says Blackstock As well as enjoying the Aceman's design features – including a statement steering wheel, octagonal grill and angular contours – Blackstock experimented with some of the optional features, including music and video streaming, in-car gaming and Spike, the MINI's new digital assistant. 'Spike is a cute dog animation that functions as your personal assistant and appears on the OLED display,' he says. 'You can connect your phone to the car, say, 'Hey, MINI,' and ask Spike to do things like play music, turn on the radio or send a message, all hands-free. 'The kids particularly liked the games you can play when the car is parked up. As well as being all-electric, the Aceman has really embraced technology to make it a better drive.' Blackstock was equally impressed by the MINI Aceman's charging capacity. 'I put it on charge before popping into the supermarket, and when I came out it was borderline fully charged,' he says. 'With places like supermarkets jumping on board with EV charging, it's very convenient when you're out and about.' Having spent a week with the Aceman, Blackstock is now a firm fan of its charms – and he's not the only MINI owner excited about this new way to MINI. 'I'd always envisioned eventually upgrading to a MINI Countryman, but now the new Aceman is here, I'm reassessing,' says Jesse Edwards, 27. Having owned a MINI One for seven years, he recently traded it for a new orange MINI Cooper Sport. 'I drove my first MINI over 60 miles a day, five to six times a week, and it never let me down,' says Edwards, who is from Ebbw Vale in south Wales. 'I've always found MINIs to be incredibly reliable, but their iconic design is a huge part of the appeal, too. 'I believe everyone goes through a MINI obsession at some point in their life, and I fully intend to keep driving one until the day I hang up my keys, so the Aceman is definitely one to consider. Being all-electric, it aligns with my aim to be more environmentally conscious, and I'm particularly drawn to the use of recycled materials in the interior. It feels like a step towards responsible indulgence.' Jesse Edwards The Aceman certainly ticks all the boxes for young, eco-conscious drivers such as Edwards. Hitting the balance between drivability and sustainability, the Aceman is not just all-electric: it also offers leather-free interiors, using partly recycled materials (without compromising on comfort), and new-gen wheels made from up to 30% secondary aluminium. This nippy drive also merges its commitment to sustainability with the practicality that MINI owners, such as Dipti Tait, 51, have come to rely on. 'Although I love everything about my black MINI One, I like what I see with the Aceman,' says Tait, from Stroud in Gloucestershire. 'The fact that it's all-electric is very exciting, and I'd really appreciate the increased boot space. 'I call my current MINI a 'maxi,' because it fits so much into the boot, but the Aceman takes things even further. We managed to move my son to university in a single trip, but we could probably move a whole house with the Aceman.' Dipti Tait Tait is right about the impressive amount of space available – the cleverly designed boot can be configured to give up to 1,005 litres of room. And, with roof rails as standard, a MINI roof rack or box will give you even more room to play with. While Edwards and Tait explore what the MINI Aceman has to offer, a week behind the (sporty, two-spoke) wheel has shown Blackstock what his future as part of the all-electric MINI community might look like. 'Of all the EVs out there, I'd say it's right up there with the best,' he says. 'Now I've driven it, when I'm ready to hang up my MINI Cooper keys, the Aceman is definitely on my wishlist.' Find out more about the all-electric MINI Aceman
Scottish Sun
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Three ‘most reliable' electric motors revealed including 145-mile range hatchback and sporty coupe
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EXPERTS have revealed the top three electric cars in the UK market - and the results may surprise you. From a classic favourite to a nippy coupe, these motors are just as reliable as they are environmentally friendly. 3 The MINI Electric was rated as the most reliable electric vechile Credit: BNW Group First up, let's take a look at the MINI Electric, which topped WhatCar's latest Reliability Survey. MINI Electric Produced between 2020 and 2024, the MINI Electric has been named the number one vehicle in the survey. The results looked at 34 pure electric models available to UK buyers. MINI owners who participated in the survey were asked about the dependability of their vehicles, aged up to five years. The cost of repairs, how long the car was off the road before being fixed, and the issues drivers faced were all quizzed and recorded. The 145-mile range hatchback model landed a whopping 98.4 per cent reliability score. Just 5 percent of owners reported that they had any problems with their MINIs at all. Trouble with the volt battery was one of the gripes reported. But they were fixed free of charge and were back on the road between one day and a week later. Nissan Leaf At number two is the Nissan Leaf, which scored an impressive reliability rating of 95.6 percent. Just 11 percent of owners reported that they had problems with the coupe. According to WhatCar's survey, 5 percent of owners had issues with their interior trim and a tiny three percent noticed brake trouble and another three percent had faults with non-motor electrics. The repairs on the sporty runaround were around £1,000, with the issues resolved in less than a week. 3 Repairs on the Nissan Leaf were super speedy Credit: AP BMW i4 Who said electric vehicles can't be sexy? The BMW i4 is as reliable as it is luxurious, with most of the problems reported listed as minor. Drivers reported difficulties with the bodywork and non-motor electrics. The battery and charging were also mentioned. However, motorists quizzed reported that repairs were all conducted free of charge.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Three ‘most reliable' electric motors revealed including 145-mile range hatchback and sporty coupe
EXPERTS have revealed the top three electric cars in the UK market - and the results may surprise you. From a classic favourite to a nippy coupe, these motors are just as reliable as they are environmentally friendly. 3 First up, let's take a look at the MINI Electric, which topped WhatCar's latest Reliability Survey. MINI Electric Produced between 2020 and 2024, the MINI Electric has been named the number one vehicle in the survey. The results looked at 34 pure electric models available to UK buyers. MINI owners who participated in the survey were asked about the dependability of their vehicles, aged up to five years. The cost of repairs, how long the car was off the road before being fixed, and the issues drivers faced were all quizzed and recorded. The 145-mile range hatchback model landed a whopping 98.4 per cent reliability score. Just 5 percent of owners reported that they had any problems with their MINIs at all. Trouble with the volt battery was one of the gripes reported. But they were fixed free of charge and were back on the road between one day and a week later. Nissan Leaf At number two is the Nissan Leaf, which scored an impressive reliability rating of 95.6 percent. Just 11 percent of owners reported that they had problems with the coupe. According to WhatCar's survey, 5 percent of owners had issues with their interior trim and a tiny three percent noticed brake trouble and another three percent had faults with non-motor electrics. The repairs on the sporty runaround were around £1,000, with the issues resolved in less than a week. 3 BMW i4 Who said electric vehicles can't be sexy? The BMW i4 is as reliable as it is luxurious, with most of the problems reported listed as minor. Drivers reported difficulties with the bodywork and non-motor electrics. The battery and charging were also mentioned. However, motorists quizzed reported that repairs were all conducted free of charge. 3
