BMW opens order books for all-electric Mini

BMW has this week opened order books for its new all-electric Mini, confirming the iconic model will be manufactured as planned at its plant in Oxford.

The decision is expected to safeguard the jobs of around 5,000 workers at a time when the UK auto industry is facing significant Brexit-related disruption and sluggish market conditions.

BMW said it was expecting "strong demand" for the "temptingly priced" model. The Guardian reported the company had already had 15,000 expressions of interest before the official order books opened. The initial deliveries of the car are now slated to take place during the first quarter of next year.

The new Mini boasts a list price of £24,400, after the government's plug-in car grant of £3,500 is included. It will also be available on a monthly rental basis with charges from £299 for a 48 month period, plus a £4,000 initial rental price.

The car is expected to do 0-60mph in 7.3 seconds and deliver a range of up to 144 miles.

BMW positioned the new zero emission model as being in line with the Mini brand's heritage. "The original Mini, designed by Sir Alec Issigonis, was born out of the Suez crisis oil shortage and the demand for affordable motoring," the company said. "The first cars rolled off the line at Oxford in the summer of 1959 and so began a global success story which has spanned six decades. As the world faces new environmental, social and economic challenges, Mini has today unveiled its first fully electric model."

Oliver Zipse, the BMW board member in charge of production, said the model was part of a new "era in which electric cars will become a normal choice for our customers".

The Mini is expected to act as a trailblazer for BMW ahead of the release of 25 new electrified models by 2023, featuring at least 13 all electric models alongside a number of plug-in hybrids.

The confirmation the car will be assembled at the company's Cowley plant represents a major boost for the UK auto industry following sluggish recent sales figures and news Honda and Ford are planning for shutdown factories.

It also comes just days after Jaguar Land Rover announced it would manufacture new EVs in the UK at its Castle Bromwich plant.