BMW Group said it was planning to make China the main global manufacturing hub for battery powered Minis to make the most of the country’s strong electric powertrain capability and supply chain.
The automaker said China would be the first country to produce the next generation electric Mini with export to global markets set to begin in 2024.
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The redesigned electric Mini would be produced by Spotlight Automotive, a 50:50 joint venture between BMW and local automaker Great Wall Motor, at a plant in Zhangjiagang in Jiangsu province.
BMW said battery powered versions of the next generation three door Mini Cooper and a redesigned and revived Aceman compact crossover would also be produced at the plant.
The Financial Times reported on Monday BMW would also spend GBP600m to build the Cooper and Aceman EVs at its Mini plant in Oxford, England, after the government agreed to GBP75m in subsidies.
Jochen Goller, CEO of BMW Group Region China, said the automaker plans to increase the popularity of the Mini brand around the world by combining the strengths of China’s electric powertrain industry and supply chain with the brand’s strong heritage.
Minis are currently produced in the UK, Austria and the Netherlands, with CKD assembly also taking place in various Asia-Pacific countries.
The redesigned Mini was unveiled earlier this month at the IAA Mobility show in Munich, Germany.
