BMW and Toyota confirm UK plant closures
BMW and Toyota have joined the growing list of vehicle manufacturers to announce they are suspending production at UK plants.
Jaguar Land Rover is expected to follow suit shortly.
BMW has about 8,000 staff in the UK. It operates a Mini factory near Oxford, as well as plants in Swindon and Hams Hall and makes Rolls Royce cars at Goodwood.
It said: “Due to the rapidly evolving coronavirus pandemic we have taken the difficult decision to cease production at our production sites at Oxford and Swindon as of Monday next week for a period of four weeks until 17 April.
“The plans for Hams Hall are under development and a subsequent announcement will be made.”
Meanwhile, a Toyota spokesman said it was suspending production at its European plants, including its factory at Burnaston in Derbyshire and its engine facility in Deeside, from tomorrow.
The suspension is expected to last at least two weeks, with staff put on paid leave. Together the two plants employ about 3,000 people.
