BOSSES at BMW have said the decision to move production of the new electric Minis to the company’s Cowley plant in Oxford is “great news” for workers in Swindon.

BMW yesterday announced the new battery-electric, three-door hatch will go into production at the Oxford plant from 2019.

The move comes after much speculation about where the electric model will be built, with suggestions that Britain’s decision to leave the EU could impact on future investment in the region.

But the company’s decision to produce the new Minis in the UK will be read by many as yet another example of post-Brexit economic scare stories being proved erroneous.

In February, the Guardian reported that “if BMW decides to make the Mini outside of Britain then it would be a major blow to the government,” adding: “The doubts about where the electric Mini will be built is one of a number of issues threatening to derail the revival of Britain’s car industry.”

However, following yesterday's decision, BMW spoke with a certain degree of excitement regarding the future.

A company spokesman said: “It’s great news that Plant Swindon will have a part to play in this exciting new electric Mini.

“As Swindon supplies a significant percentage of pressings and of the sub-assemblies for Oxford, it will therefore also provide the parts for this electric variant of the Mini 3 door.”

The decision has been made despite bosses at the car giant in November saying that they wished to wait out Brexit negotiations before making any decisions on UK investment.

Nearly 5,000 people are employed across BMW’s plants in Swindon and Oxford, and Hams Hall in Warwickshire.

The move has been warmly received by the business community in the South West.

Ian Larrard, director of Swindon and Wiltshire Initiative at Business West, said: “We are delighted to hear the news that the electric Mini will be built in Oxford from 2019.

“Working in conjunction with the Swindon plant, where the Mini starts its life, it is a great boost to the automotive industry locally and the economy in general.”

The firm, which manufactures Mini, BMW and Rolls-Royce cars in Britain, is one of a number of European firms facing questions regarding its future in the UK after the Brexit vote, which could result in new trade tariffs and higher input costs. BMW cannot at this stage comment on the future of Plant Swindon, but it remains optimistic.

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: “This announcement is a huge and totally deserved boost to a world class workforce that has endured a tough few months. Around the world and for generations the Mini means made in Britain.

“With the electric Mini being built in Cowley the tradition continues but with the added bonus that this is one of the important innovations of tomorrow. It is fantastic news.”