Oxford City Council gave the go-ahead to buy the �21,791 car, built in the BMW plant in Cowley, after Oxford's Green Group lost the vote 4 to 1.

The Green Group wanted the council to use the money to buy an eco-friendly car, bus passes and a bicycle.

The decision was ratified by members of the City Executive Board on Monday.

Councillor Bill Baker, the deputy leader of the council, said: "I'm sure the local Oxford people working at the BMW Oxford site will be proud the Lord Mayor and the City Council have chosen a car made by their company, rather than one from a company with no connection to the city."

The Green group had claimed the cost of buying and running the BMW would be nearly �10,000 more expensive than a low emission petrol/electric hybrid car.

Cllr Craig Simmons, for the Greens, said: "This high profile decision will clearly undermine partnership efforts to improve Oxford's air quality and tackle climate change."