BMW has been criticised over the recent job cuts.

But, remember, when Honda’s link with Rover was severed, it was BMW which realised that the Mini brand was a winner – and decided to make the new car where it was originally conceived– at Cowley. Honda, meanwhile, went to Swindon.

Then we heard the company would be producing less cars this year, the weekend shift was off, and agency workers were sacked.

The workers can blame the government for this situation, as the European directive which protects agency workers was not signed up to.

Without BMW making the new Mini, the Cowley plant would now be low cost housing or another trading park full of DIY shops.

So let’s celebrate BMW, and stop putting them down.

When the new Mini Convertible arrives, the company will recover.

You can bet on it.

M J Everett, Kennington, Oxford