BMW has announced that 850 jobs are to go at their Mini plant in Oxford, the BBC reports.
Weekend working at the plant has also been scrapped, resulting in lost jobs for agency workers who covered these shifts. The carmaker also announced that 150 jobs at their Swindon plant will also go, although these workers will be offered the chance to transfer to the Oxford plant.
Work at the Oxford plant does not resume until 23 February following a period of extended closing aimed to avoid producing a surplus of cars. BMW and Mini have suffered falling new car sales as a result of the economic downturn.
The new reduced working patterns and resulting job losses at the Cowley plant in Oxford, will come into force on the 2 March.
BMW are not alone in reducing work forces and working hours, Honda recently announced a four month shutdown at their Swindon plant while Vauxhall has reduced working hours at its Ellesmere Port plant.
