BMW is mulling taking on Honda’s giant Swindon plant that the Japanese car maker plans to close in 2021.

Honda said last month that it intends to shut the factory when it ends production of the Civic, with the loss of 3,500 jobs and twice as many more in the supply chain.

However, The Telegraph understands that BMW has expressed an interest in the site, which would allow the German firm to boost production in the UK.

A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed that BMW had made preliminary investigations about using the Swindon site.

“BMW is definitely interested,” the source said. “It is an immensely logical move for BMW once the political situation [around Brexit] has calmed down.”

BMW builds Minis at its Oxford plant, engines at its Hams Hall site near Birmingham and body panels at factory in Swindon. The company also owns Goodwood-based Rolls-Royce motor cars.