British workers earn boost in BMW spending

BMW

The outstanding quality of its British workforce was a major factor in BMW's decision to invest a further £500 million ($990 million) in its Mini assembly plant in Oxford and other operations, the group's chairman Norbert Reithofer said yesterday.

Product quality and productivity at its UK operations was "absolutely at the same level" as its other European and US plants, he said.The next generation of the Mini would be built at Oxford and could develop into a "brand family" with up to 10 varieties.

The company also reaffirmed its commitment to its other UK operations - the engine plant at Hams Hall, Birmingham, a pressings division at Swindon and the Rolls-Royce factory at Goodwood, West Sussex.Reithofer hinted that the new generation of small BMW-badged cars could also be built at Oxford.