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June 12, 2012

BMW to build hybrid sports car engines in UK


BMW to build hybrid sports car engines in UK
BMW will build three-cylinder engines for its all-new i8 hybrid sports car in the UK at Hams Hall. Photo: GETTY
Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, said the decision by BMW to produce the engines for the i8 car at Hams Hall is “more good news for the UK automotive sector and underlines its growing competitive strength”.
He added: “It is yet another indication that international companies see the UK as one of the best places to develop and manufacture low emission vehicle technologies.”
Last year BMW announced it was investing £500m to modernise its UK plants, including Hams Hall and the company’s Mini factory in Oxford.
This investment is part of £5.6bn of funds that has been committed to the UK over the last two years by leading car makers, including Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, and Vauxhall.
Speaking at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) International Summit in London, Ian Robertson, the sales and marketing director for BMW, said: “BMW manufacturing follows major sales markets, the UK is BMW Group’s fourth largest global market and as such, we will continue to invest in our operations the UK.

“CO2 legislation is set to have a massive effect on the automotive industry and BMW will build new three-cylinder engines for its all-new i8 hybrid sports car in the UK at Hams Hall."