Mini to grow electric car range

Mini has outlined a significant commitment to electrification.

It will triple its line-up of battery electric vehicles and has also announced a deal with China’s Great Wall Motors (GWM) to develop and build EVs that will be underpinned by a new dedicated platform.

The BMW-owned compact car brand currently produces the BEV Mini Electric three-door hatch and the plug-in Countryman Hybrid, both of which are sold in Australia.

It says it will add a compact crossover and a “small-car segment” crossover alongside the Mini electric as BEV models in coming years.

The small crossover will be available purely with all-electric drive.

The GWM co-operation is scheduled to be building EVs in China in 2023. Mini is currently an importer to China, where 10 percent of its sales are recorded.

The new plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, will have a capacity of 160,000 vehicles per year and build vehicles under both the Mini and GWM badges.

While it expands its EV line-up, Mini says it will continue to offer orthodox ICE choices in its range. The Mini three-door and Countryman will come with both electrified and orthodox powertrains.

“We are pursuing the ‘power of choice’ approach followed by the BMW Group through our broad range of advanced petrol and diesel engines, the plug-in hybrid system and all-electric drive, in order to meet the needs and aspirations of our customers  throughout the world,” said Bernd Körber, global head of Mini.

“This enables us to create the conditions for further growth in global automobile markets.”

Mini also confirmed the development of a new model for the premium compact segment, which it says the Clubman wagon and Countryman SUV already contest. It did not specify its drivetrain choices

Premium compact accounts for 40 percent of Mini sales and electrified models 10 percent.

More than four million Minis have been sold globally in the 20 years since BMW relaunched the brand.