Earlier this year, BMW Group has expressed its consideration to building its 2019 electric model in Germany due to concerns relating to Brexit. Last week, at the BMW’s annual meeting in Munich, BMW CEO Harald Kruger said the Brexit negotiations could impact future production for MINI cars.
“We hope for pragmatism from all parties in the Brexit negotiations; that means no new barriers to trade, free movement for skilled workers. We are planning in terms of scenarios. You know that we make Mini models at VDL Nedcar in the Netherlands. We’re flexible.”
Regensburg or Leipzig are two options in Germany, as well as the Dutch contract manufacturer Nedcar.
The production shift would take place if the UK fails to secure a ‘single market’ trade agreement with the European Union, something the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) has described as crucial to ensure the sustainability of Britain’s automotive sector.
MINI said no decision had been made regarding its EV production at this stage. It told Autocar in an official response: “Mini has announced that it will launch an EV in 2019. The production arrangements for this model have not yet been decided and will be in due course.”
Handelsblatt said BMW would open conversation with the British government at the start of March with the UK’s decision to leave the EU likely to be a key topic.
