The battery electric Mini Cooper will be produced in Europe from 2026
- Production of the battery electric Mini began at Great Wall in China in January 2024. But the BMW group announced that this model would also be produced in Europe (in Oxford in England) from 2026, for the European market following thus the same strategy as Volvo with its EX30 model which is currently produced in China but will also be produced in Europe (in Ghent in Belgium) from 2025.
- We do not know if this decision is related to the desire of certain European governments to protect themselves from imports of Chinese cars (with, for example, the elimination of their ecological bonus in France), but it contrasts with the initial decisions which advocated the relocation of European models(notably battery electric) to China.
- It seems that other models could follow this path, like the Dacia Spring for example. We already know that the Mini Aceman(battery electric compact SUV) which was supposed to be produced only in China, will also be produced in Europe (in Oxford) from 2026.The Mini electric and Aceman electric will also continue to be produced in China for domestic demand.
- It is possible that we are witnessing the beginning of a change in strategy among European carmakers regarding the relocation of models from Europe to China, part of which destined to the European market through exports from China. This change in strategy would allow a relocation of European models in Europe, a relocation that some governments are calling for.