Oxford Mini production to halt due to chip shortage

Production at Oxford's Mini plant will be suspended for three working days due to a shortage of computer chips.

BMW said its Cowley factory will not manufacture cars on Friday or on Tuesday and Wednesday after the bank holiday weekend.

A spokeswoman said the company had taken steps to minimise further disruption and was monitoring the situation on a daily basis.

Other companies are also being hit by a global shortage of computer chips.

Jaguar Land Rover has suspended production at its Castle Bromwich and Halewood factories this week for the same reason.

The shortage has developed due to a rapid recovery in demand for chips from the motor industry, at a time when available supplies were being snapped up by the consumer electronics sector.

The plant in the city employs 4,500 people and produces about 5,000 cars a week.

In September 2020, BMW postponed a decision to cut 400 out of 950 agency staff at the factory due to "unexpected improvements" in demand.

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