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BMW's Mini plant closes for 4 weeks for the Brexit that didn't happen

LONDON — BMW's Mini plant in Britain is closing for four weeks starting Monday in a move planned over a half year ago to help the company deal with any disruption resulting from Brexit, which has since been delayed. The German carmaker, which builds just over 15 percent of Britain's 1.5 million cars, moved its annual summertime shutdown to April to "minimize the risk of any possible short-term parts-supply disruption in the event of a no-deal Brexit." But Britain's departure from the EU has now been pushed back from March 29 until at least April 12 or potentially much later, scuppering the timing of major contingency plans for some carmakers. Shutdowns are organized far in advance so employee holidays can be scheduled and suppliers can adjust volumes, making them hard to move. "This is what our company and our workforce have planned for over many months, and it is fixed into our business planning," said a BMW spokesman. It represents the latest headache for Britain's once roaring car sector which had been on track for record production but since 2017 has posted sharp falls in sales, output and investment. The overwhelmingly foreign-owned industry has become increasingly incredulous as a stable and attractive investment environment descends into one of its deepest political crises, risking the free and frictionless trade the sector relies on. BMW's Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood will close for two weeks whilst Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) three car plants and engine facility and Honda's Swindon facility will also shut for a few days this month as part of Brexit contingencies. It has been a turbulent few months for the sector after Nissan canceled plans to build a new sport utility vehicle at its English Sunderland plant and Honda said it would shutter its plant in 2021 in the biggest blow to the sector for years. Toyota provided a rare boost when it announced plans to build cars for Suzuki at its English car plant. BMW, which is also closing its central English Hams Hall engine facility and Swindon press shop and sub-assembly site for four weeks, has said it could move some engine and Mini output out of Britain if there is not an orderly Brexit. Carmakers face a number of risks if there is a disorderly Brexit, including delays to the supply of ports and finished models, new customs bureaucracy, the need to recertify models and an up to 10 percent tariff on finished vehicles.

This is the final BMW M3 Coupe

Pour some out for the BMW M3 Coupe, folks. Production of the two-door, fixed-roof M3 has officially ended, and the orange car you see here is the very last one.
But we don't just meant the last M3 Coupe of this generation - this is the last M3 Coupe ever, since the next-gen car will launch under the name M4, staying true to BMW's revised nomenclature where coupes and convertibles will use even numbers. (Don't forget, the new 3 Series coupe becomes the 4 Series for the 2014 model year.) There will, of course, be a new M3, but that badge will only be found on the four-door version.
BMW first launched the M3 Coupe in 1986, and since then, more than 40,000 examples have been built. Sedan and convertible versions were added later in the car's life, and BMW says that the current 2013 model year convertible will remain in production until September of this year.

BMW X1 spied in the snow, on the 'Ring

The next-generation BMW X1 is moving ever closer to production, and it reportedly launches in Europe in June. With just a few months left of development, the Bavarian brand is making sure to get in as much work in as possible – as the shots above show. According to our spies, all of these pictures were taken on the same day, but BMW was running two simultaneous evaluations of the crossover in Europe. At the sunny Nurburgring, the company was doing high-speed tests on the famous track. Meanwhile in chilly Sweden, cold-weather analysis was happening. Regardless of the location, these are some of the least camouflaged X1s photographed yet. Based on the shots, it appears that BMW is evolving the compact CUV's design rather than overhauling it, but there are a few dashes of styling from the 2 Series Gran Tourer in the grille and headlights, as well. The 'Ring shots also clearly show off a panoramic sunroof. While these examples wear a lot of obfuscation at the back, it's easy to make out BMW's LED taillights. The X1 shares its UKL platform with the Gran Tourer and the latest Minis, but possibly offers all-wheel drive. It's reportedly going to be offered with a similar range of turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engines, as well. Related Video: Featured Gallery BMW X1 Spy Shots View 17 Photos Image Credit: CarPix Design/Style Spy Photos BMW Crossover Luxury bmw x1 ring