Report: Mini/Great Wall JV Plans Rocketman EV

Spotlight Automotive Ltd., the 4-month-old joint venture between BMW and Great Wall, plans to build a production version of the two-seat Rocketman electric supermini unveiled by BMW’s Mini brand eight years ago.

Sources tells Autocar that the Rocketman will ride on a Great Wall platform, possibly the same one that carries the Chinese company’s tiny Ora R1 EV. That vehicle offers two battery choices—the base 31.7-kWh unit or a 33-kWh system—teamed with an electric motor that generates about 50 hp and 90 lb-ft of torque.

There has been speculation about a production version of the Rocketman city car since the concept (pictured) was presented at the 2011 Geneva auto show. At different times, Toyota and Peugeot were rumored to be partnering with Mini on the vehicle.

In March, Spotlight announced plans to build a 5.1 billion-yuan ($760 million) factory in Jiangsu with capacity to make 160,000 EVs per year. Output will include vehicles for Mini and Great Wall.

The Rocketman EV is tentatively scheduled to launch in China 2022, according to Autocar. Vehicles built by the joint venture also are expected to be exported to global markets.

Mini unveiled its first EV, the Cooper SE, earlier this week in Germany. The vehicle is part of BMW’s plans to launch 25 new EVs and plug-in hybrid models by the end of 2023.