BMW’s MINI brand will start domestic production in China, a local media outlet reported on February 9th citing sources inside BMW Brilliance.

Photo credit: BMW

The information was released by BMW Group executives during a BMW Brilliance online live conference.

According to BMW’s previous plans, the MINI lineup will introduce its final combustion engine model in 2025. The then electric models will be manufactured by BMW Group and Great Wall Motor’s joint venture, Spotlight Automotive. However, Spotlight Automotive Zhangjiagang factory is yet to obtain an electric vehicle production license.

During the aforementioned conference, the executives said that the first two China-targeted electric MINI models would be produced in the Zhangjiagang Spotlight Automotive factory. Meanwhile, Oxford-imported MINI models will still be available for sale in China. Additionally, there will also be localized Shenyang-made models coming.

In July 2021, several BMW Brilliance staff said that the joint venture had initiated a manufacturing project for a new MINI model, code-named u28. The model will be manufactured on Brilliance’s Zhonghua production line.

Notably, the Zhonghua production line can only produce traditional internal combustion vehicles.

In conclusion, the two electric MINI models will be produced on the Spotlight Automotive production line, while the said Shengyang-made MINI model will probably be fossil-fueled.