Brexit fallout leaves BMW considering alternatives for Mini plant

Britain's decision to leave the European Union is a factor in BMW's doubts over whether to make electrically-powered Minis in its Oxford factory.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the German car-maker is weighing up its options as to where the new vehicles will be built, ahead of their release in 2019.

BMW's plant in Oxford had long been considered as the front-runner for the construction of the new Mini, but concern about possible rising costs of exporting from the UK has led to other options being analysed.

"We have not decided where we are going to build the electric Mini, and discussions about it are ongoing with a decision in due course and expected by the end of the year," a spokesperson for BMW said.

Brexit negotiations between Britain and the EU are expected to drag out as long as two years.

Many multinational firms have commented on their reservations about doing business in the UK post-Brexit, although several others have also reiterated their desire to maintain and grow operations in Britain.

HSBC and UBS are two of the financial institutions which have signalled their intent to move operations from London to the continent, while tech giant Apple reaffirmed its trust in UK operations with a mammoth investment to construct its new headquarters at Battersea Power Station.

German media reported on Monday that discussions between BMW and the British government will take place over the next week.