BMW has given its strongest warning yet that a no deal Brexit will force it to move out of Oxford.

Senior representatives in the German car company sounded dire warnings about the future of Mini production in the city today.

LATEST UPDATE: Councils say plant's survival is 'crucial' to Oxford

Amid growing fears that the UK will crash out of the European Union on March 29 without a deal, the company is now actively considering moving everything to Holland. 

READ MORE: City leaders react to BMW's stark warnings

With 4,500 jobs at risk, Graham Biggs, corporate communications director of BMW, said he could not give staff 'any guarantees' about the future.

He said: "In the event of a no-deal Brexit, some or all of the production of the Mini could be moved to Holland where we have a plant.

"We need frictionless trade and a no-deal Brexit will not give us that from what we can see.

"Nothing is certain. I cannot give any guarantees as to the future of the Oxford plant. No company can.

"I cannot make any promises to the workers because at the moment we just don't know. But what I can say is we are heavily invested in the UK."

Even if there was a deal, 'no promises could be made' as 'nothing is certain', he said, but added: "We are pressing for a deal and that's what we'd like to see."

The announcement sent shockwaves through the city with MPs warning closure would be a 'major blow' to the local economy. 

BMW has already decided to move its annual shut-down period to directly after the planned withdrawal date of March 29, given the extent of the uncertainty. 

On numerous occasions it has previously called for more clarity from the Government on what will happen to trade and customs arrangements on the UK's borders.

Mr Bigg was one of a number of senior BMW staff who spoke out about the current Brexit situation at the Geneva car show. 

Peter Schwarzenbauer, a board member with responsibility for Mini, said a no deal Brexit - 'the worst case scenario' - would increase its costs by 10 per cent, which it wouldn't be able to absorb.

He told Sky News: "This would really be a huge burden to the Mini brand.

"If this would come - the worst case scenario - we would need to consider what it exactly means for us in the long run.

"For Mini this is really a danger. No doubt about that."

Car-makers have been increasingly outspoken about how damaging a no deal Brexit would be to the industry with some calling it a potential 'bloodbath' and 'catastrophe'.

Last month Nissan U-turned on a decision to build a new car in the UK, and Honda said it was closing its Swindon plant, although neither blamed Brexit specifically. 

A BMW Group spokesman said the company remained committed to the UK.

He said "With four plants producing vehicles, components and pressed parts for all three of our automotive brands, the UK also plays an important role in the BMW Group’s production network.

"Until we have clarity on the UK / EU trading relationship from April onwards, as a responsible employer we must continue to plan for the worst-case scenario, which is what a no-deal Brexit would represent.

"Our production system is designed to be highly flexible, so that we can respond quickly to changing market demand.

"This is especially important in a volatile, fast-changing environment.

"We are currently going to great lengths to prepare our production network for the impact of Brexit.

"The aim is to ensure, as far as possible, that the locations concerned can continue production after Brexit without unnecessary disruption.

"This process requires considerable effort on our part.”