Given the uncertainty around Brexit, MINI has decided to close the Oxford MINI factory for at least a month after the UK pulls out of the EU on March 29th. But before the rumors run rampant, let’s give some background.
What MINI is doing is simply moving it’s standard summer maintenance period to coincide with the Brexit date as uncertainty grows around the various trade deals which may or may not be completed. It’s a bit of an insurance policy if there’s still negotiating happening on key trade deals past the actual Brexit deadline.
What this means for would be MINI owners ordering their cars is simple. Make sure your dealer gets your order in and production scheduled well ahead of the last week of March.
<p>The headline is misleading. BMW will not “Temporarily Close” MINI Plant Oxford. It is rescheduling it’s annual shutdown. Automakers generally close their factories over the summer for a few weeks to allow for retooling and repair work as many staff take vacation and sales are at their lowest ebb in the year. Next year, however, the UK exits the EU on Friday March 29.</p>
<p>This is what a BMW spokesperson said:</p>
<p>“We have scheduled next year’s annual maintenance period at MINI Plant Oxford to start on Saturday March 30, to minimize the risk of any possible short-term parts-supply disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit. While we believe this worst-case scenario is an unlikely outcome, we have to plan for it. 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.”</p>
<p>Annual shutdown = temporary closure.</p>
<p>Misleading headline = journalistic sensationalism :)</p>
<p>The headline is 100% accurate. Not sure the issue.</p>