BMW, Great Wall Aim to Make Mini EVs in China

BMW AG has signed a letter of intent with Great Wall Motor Ltd. to form a joint venture that would produce all-electric Mini-badged small cars in China.

The companies say their next step is to finalize the details of the joint venture, including clarifying investment levels and selecting a production site. No timeframe was given for the project.

Last October Great Wall confirmed reports that it was in talks with BMW about producing Mini cars in China. Great Wall, which is the only major Chinese carmaker without a foreign partner, says a deal with BMW/Mini would improve its EV capabilities, expand its technical expertise and enhance the company’s brand image.

BMW previously has said it was exploring potential partnerships in China for Mini. The company currently makes most Minis at its factory in Oxford, England. Some Mini models also are produced in the Netherlands by contract assembler Nedcar BV.

BMW already operates several partnerships with Brilliance China Automotive Holdings Ltd. in China. These include vehicle assembly and distribution operations and a new battery plant for electrified vehicles that the partners opened last year in Shenyang.

Regardless of the potential deal with Great Wall, BMW says it has no plans to establish a new sales organization in China. Last year the carmaker delivered 560,000 BMW-badged vehicles and 35,000 Minis in China.