A spokesman told Automotive News Europe that will be producing electric hatchbacks and a small SUV in China through its partnership with Great Wall Motor. As such, the company will cease production of electric versions of hatchbacks in the UK.
In 2019, Great Wall Motor and the BMW Group announced the launch of their joint venture, Spotlight Automotive Limited to build a plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province. BMW said that it would start making electric MINIs at the new plant starting in 2023.
Stefanie Wurst, the new head of Mini, told UK’s The Times that the decision to cease production of electric MINI in the UK was due to the inefficiencies of having electric and petrol cars on the same assembly line in the Cowley plant.
“Oxford is not geared up for electric vehicles,” she said. “It will need renovation and investment.” Interestingly, when asked if the Oxford plant could at some point in the future build both MINIs and Great Wall brands such as and Wey, she replied: “Maybe.”
Keyword: BMW to CKD MINI Electric in China starting 2023, UK production to cease