BMW has announced that production of electric Mini hatchbacks is to move from Oxford in the UK to China as part of the German carmakers partnership with Great Wall Motor. 

The move is seen as a blow to the UK’s aspirations to be a major centre for electric vehicle production. 

Stefanie Wurst, the new head of Mini, has commented  that petrol and electric production on the same production line  was inefficient.

There is however, some speculation that Great Wall vehicles could be made in Oxford.