Mini cuts prices of its EVs by up to 29% in China to boost sales
BMW sub-brand Mini is offering limited-time discounts of up to 29 percent on two EV models in China, just months after launching them.
Mini, a sub-brand of German carmaker BMW Group, has drastically cut the prices of its electric vehicle (EV) models in China in an attempt to gain relevance in a competitive market.
Chinese customers who buy the all-electric Mini Cooper and Mini Aceman between October 18 and November 30 can get discounts of up to 29 percent, according to information displayed on Mini China's website.
Specifically, three variants of the electric Mini Cooper are priced at RMB 148,800 ($20,930), RMB 182,800, and RMB 194,800 for a limited time.
Their original starting guide prices were RMB 209,800, RMB 239,800, and RMB 259,800 respectively.
This means that the starting prices of the 3 variants of the electric Mini Cooper have been reduced by RMB 61,000, RMB 57,000, RMB 65,000, or 29.08 percent, 23.77 percent, and 25.02 percent, respectively.
There are 5 variants of the electric Mini Cooper at launch, with a starting price of RMB 189,800 for a lowest priced version and RMB 266,800 for the highest priced limited version, which are covered by the price cut.
Three variants of the electric Mini Aceman are now priced at RMB 163,900, RMB 197,900 and RMB 209,900 for a limited time.
Their original starting prices were RMB 229,900, RMB 259,900 and RMB 279,900 respectively.
This means that the starting prices of the three variants of the electric Mini Aceman have been reduced by RMB 66,000, RMB 62,000 and RMB 70,000, or 28.71 percent, 23.86 percent and 25.01 percent respectively.
The most expensive variant of the electric Mini Aceman is not covered by this price reduction, with a starting price of RMB 279,900.
Additionally, customers who purchase the discounted models before November 30 will receive an option fund of RMB 8,000, as well as benefits including a 36-period 0 percent interest loan.
For customers who purchase these discount models before October 18, Mini promises to refund the price differences in cash.
The electric Mini vehicles are built by Spotlight Automotive, a 50:50 joint venture between BMW and China's Great Wall Motor, at a plant in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province in eastern China.
The electric Mini Cooper went on sale in China on July 6, while the electric Mini Aceman went on sale on August 27.
The electric Mini Cooper is a four-seater with a length, width and height of 3,858 mm, 1,756 mm and 1,458 mm, respectively, and it has a CLTC range of 452-456 kilometers.
The electric Mini Aceman is a five-seater with a length, width and height of 4,076 mm, 1,754 mm and 1,515 mm, respectively, and a CLTC range of 445-450 kilometers.
In China's highly competitive EV market, limited-time discounts often turn into permanent price cuts.
These two electric Mini models are rarely mentioned on Chinese social media space, and their sales are unknown.
($1 = RMB 7.1092)
BMW to build charging network in China with Mercedes, aiming for 1,000 supercharging stations by 2026