BMW-Great Wall Motor Tie-up to Make Minis in China?

Joint-venture discussions between BMW AG and Great Wall Motor Co. are about launching production in China of Mini brand cars, sources tell Bloomberg News.

Earlier this week sources told Reuters the two companies might collaborate on electric cars. The rumors prompted Great Wall’s stock price to jump to a two-year high. Trading in the company’s stock, which surged 14% on Wednesday, was suspended earlier today pending clarification of the company’s plans.

Fast-growing Great Wall is China’s biggest maker of SUVs. The company is one of the country’s few major vehicle manufacturers without a foreign partner.

In August company President Wang Fengying declared, then quickly retracted, her interest in buying the Jeep SUV brand from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV.