Will The MINI Aceman Come to North America & If So When?
MINI believes the MINI Aceman has a chance to become the best selling brand globally for the brand. But to make that happen, the North American market will be essential. But just how likely is that? If when could we expect it? Based on sources, we have some early answers.
Designing and engineering cars for global markets is incredible expensive. Doing that for both an electric and internal combustion range is incredibly expensive. And for a small brand like MINI, it’s downright cost prohibitive. So BMW had to get creative in how it accomplished both. Enter Spotlight Motors – a joint venture between MINI and Great Wall Motors from China.
The idea was simple – leverage the scale of GWM along with their expertise in building electric cars (China is now the definitive world leader in volume for EVs), while engineering and designing the new electric MINIs in Germany. MINI’s plans were to build it’s new electric MINI Cooper (in hardtop and convertible form) along with the Aceman small crossover.
If that sounds too good to be true, it was. A global trade war kicked off just as BMW signed on with GWM and suddenly countries like the US slapped 25-30% tariffs on Chinese cars (among other goods). And just recently the EU followed suit with 38% tariffs.
While MINI is still pushing ahead with its planned EU and UK launch this fall, there are currently no official plans to import the Aceman to North America as profit margins will be non-existent.
Given these moves, MINI has aggressively changed its plans and announced its intention to produce its new electric models in Oxford. After a major expansion, the plan will begin producing the J01, J03 and J05 from 2026 onward. This move will open the door for North American export with no tariffs applied.
Confirmed: J01 & J03 MINI Cooper UK Production is US Bound
Even still MINI has made no official statement about the new electric MINIs coming to North America. However through our most reliable sources we now know for certain that the J03 MINI Cooper Convertible is destined for North America. But this doesn’t mean we don’t expect the J01 or the J05. It’s simply the first we’ve been able to 100% confirm through sources.
We fully expect our sources will soon confirm both the J01 Cooper and J05 Aceman for North America imports a well. How are we so certain? If MINI is going to invest in bringing the new generation of electric MINIs to the US and Canada, the J01 and J05 would be the centerpiece of that strategy due to the higher numbers they’d sell.
This means that the UK produced J05 Aceman will serve Europe and likely the North American markets. This could allow for US imports to begin by 2026 – only two years away. The key word is “could” as sources tell us official decisions on where the Aceman will be sold have yet to be announced. But the appetite for small crossovers is certainly higher than small hatchbacks in the North American market making the concept of the Aceman in the US a no brainer.
The US is supposed to increase tariffs on Chinese EVs, batteries, and solar this year. Some say up to 100% on EVs!!! This is a protectionist movement to help US automakers catch up, but it’s going to slow down EV adoption. The only company that can even compete on price with the Chinese is Tesla.
I would argue it’s really GM. The scale they’ll have with ultifi within 18 months will be pretty serious.
Do you mean Ultium? Ultifi I believe is the entertainment system.
I hope MINI is able to build the Aceman will optional AWD come 2026 for the US market.
I mean Ultifi as it’s the term GM uses for the software defined vehicle. But really the point can be made for both Ultifi and Ultium.
If MINI had made this car an ICE and offered it in the US market at a reasonable starting price, it would’ve EATEN!