Mini has unveiled ambitious plans to invest over £600 million (approximately $751 million) in its U.K. plant, located near Oxford, with the aim of transforming it into a prominent center for electric vehicle (EV) production. This historic 110-year-old facility has been responsible for manufacturing the current Cooper SE, albeit sharing a platform with conventional gasoline-powered models produced on-site. However, Mini’s future EVs to be assembled here will utilize dedicated EV platforms, marking a significant shift in their manufacturing strategy.
The inaugural entry among these forthcoming EVs is the fourth-generation Cooper, recently showcased at the 2023 Munich auto show. Production of this model is slated to commence at the Oxford plant in 2026, alongside another exciting addition to Mini’s lineup, the Aceman, a subcompact crossover set to debut shortly, following a concept presentation last year.
Notably, gas-powered versions of the fourth-generation Cooper are also scheduled for production initiation at the Oxford facility from next year. However, Mini has outlined its intention to transition exclusively to EV manufacturing at this location by 2030. For those anticipating the gas-powered variant of the fourth-generation Cooper in the U.S., it is expected to make its debut as a 2025 model next year, employing an updated iteration of the current gasoline-powered model’s platform.
In addition to these developments, Mini has announced the commencement of production for a new Convertible model at the Oxford plant next year.
Initially, the electric versions of the fourth-generation Cooper and the Aceman will be manufactured exclusively in China, with production commencing early next year. While Mini has intentions to export these Chinese-made EVs, the U.S. market is notably absent from the list of destinations. This omission is due to the prevailing 27.5% tariff imposed by the U.S. on vehicles imported from China. Consequently, these electric vehicles are unlikely to be available in the U.S. until 2026 when production starts in the U.K., although Mini has yet to provide detailed plans for this transition.
Michael Peyton, vice president of Mini of the Americas, has hinted at Mini’s intentions to bring the electric Cooper and Aceman to the U.S., possibly even considering local production in North America in the long term.
The Oxford plant currently possesses an annual production capacity of around 200,000 units, and Mini anticipates reaching this capacity in the medium term.
Furthermore, beyond the Chinese and U.K. plants, Mini will utilize a facility owned by its parent company, BMW, situated in Leipzig, Germany, for the production of the third-generation Countryman. This new iteration of the Countryman, also unveiled at the recent Munich auto show, is expected to arrive in the U.S. as a 2025 model next year and will be manufactured in both gasoline and electric variants in Germany.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Mini EV Investment
What is Mini’s investment plan in the UK plant?
Mini plans to invest over £600 million in its UK plant to transform it into a hub for electric vehicle production, with dedicated EV platforms for future models.
What models will be produced at the UK plant?
The plant will produce the fourth-generation Mini Cooper and the Aceman, a subcompact crossover. Gas-powered versions of the fourth-gen Cooper will also be made there initially.
When will production of these models begin?
Production of the fourth-gen Cooper and the Aceman in the UK is set to start in 2026, while gas-powered Cooper production will commence from next year.
Will these electric vehicles be available in the U.S.?
Initially, electric versions of these models will be built in China, with no U.S. availability due to tariffs. They are expected to reach the U.S. by 2026 when production shifts to the UK.
What are Mini’s long-term plans for the U.S. market?
Mini is considering bringing the electric Cooper and Aceman to the U.S. and possibly exploring local production in North America in the future.
What is the annual production capacity of the Oxford plant?
The Oxford plant has an annual capacity of approximately 200,000 units, and Mini aims to reach this capacity in the medium term.
Where else will Mini produce vehicles?
Apart from the UK and China, Mini will use BMW’s facility in Leipzig, Germany, for production of the third-generation Countryman, available in both gasoline and electric versions. It’s expected to arrive in the U.S. as a 2025 model.
More about Mini EV Investment
- Mini’s Electric Future
- Mini Cooper Fourth Generation
- Aceman Subcompact Crossover
- UK Automotive Manufacturing
- U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Imports
- BMW Leipzig Plant
4 comments
mini’s gonna pump up the UK plant with £600 million! That’s a lotta cash, dude. EVs are takin’ over, and Mini’s gonna ride the wave!
200,000 units a year, that’s quite the production goal for Mini’s UK plant. Hope they can keep up!
Mini’s got big plans, but they better hurry up bringin’ them electric Coopers to the US. We want ’em ASAP!
Wonder if Mini’s gas Coopers gonna stay popular in the US. Them tariffs makin’ it tough for the Chinese-made EVs.