The head of BMW engine operations world-wide has said it would be better if Britain joined the euro.

The website autowired.co.uk reported that Dr. Norbert Reithofer, who is also a BMW board member, said last week that it would be better for the UK to be inside the euro zone. He was speaking to journalists at the official opening of the new Hams Hall engine plant near Birmingham in central England.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

View all

According to the website, Reithofer said the car manufacturer was reluctant to answer questions about the euro which could be seen as trying to influence the UK government.


He said that five BMW car assembly plants relied on engines from Hams Hall but noted that the high value of the pound sterling does not cause the same exchange-related difficulties for the UK engine plant as it does for UK vehicle factories.


“We do not want to beat about the bush on the currency question,” said Dr. Reithofer. “We have a philosophy which means production follows the market.
“Britain is BMW’s third most important car market and it is right to have a manufacturing base here”.


With Hams Hall assembling new four-cylinder petrol engines, BMW’s engine plant in Steyr, Austria, will cut back production, Reithofer said.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The autowired.co.uk report said that BMW decided to build Hams Hall in 1996 [when it still owned Rover and Land Rover nearby] and despite the debate about the high value of sterling, is looking at a lifespan of 30 to 40 years for Hams Hall, not just at the next five years.


To view a related Knowledge Store report, please follow the link below:-


BMW Strategic Review