In a surprise development, BMW is rumored to have shelved plans to build the new MINI Cooper Electric (or Aceman) in the UK. Despite earlier plans, the decision not to electrify the Oxford Plant in the near term means both models are permanently off the table for the US market and likely won’t have replacements globally. No construction, no tooling, and no movement behind the scenes – all signs that this call was made some time ago.
Sources tipped us off last month (which we eluded to), but only recently were we able to lock down the details.
Sources indicate that BMW is eager to end the Spotlight Automotive joint venture when the J01 and J05 models run their course around 2031. This not only affects those models but could even point to a change in MINI’s direction. With global tariffs surging and the EV landscape shifting under everyone’s feet, BMW appears to be second-guessing the entire plan of Chinese production and perhaps even the MINI brand’s long-term product strategy.
This appears to end any chance of the J01 MINI Cooper EV or J05 MINI Aceman making it to most of the Americas including the US market. With 100% tariffs looming over Chinese-made EVs, the math just doesn’t work for dealers or customers. But it’s what this decision means for MINI that could be much more important.
This leaves a rather large question mark hanging over MINI’s core lineup. The Countryman has a lifeline thanks to its shared platform with BMW crossovers, but the Cooper and Aceman? They’re out there on their own, without direct BMW equivalents to piggyback on.
The reality is that small cars are becoming an endangered species. EV mandates, thin profit margins, and the allure of fat crossover profits are pushing automakers to walk away from small cars altogether. MINI’s bread and butter Cooper might be stylish, compact, and fun – but in this climate, they don’t appear to be highly profitable in EV form.
What is clear is that MINI (and BMW) is in position of power compared to other automakers given their global production capability. We’ll have more what this could mean soon.
Since 2019, MINI has proudly proclaimed its intention to go fully electric by 2030. In fact, the original plan was to discontinue ICE versions of the Cooper entirely once the J01 launched. Thankfully, MINI quickly abandoned that concept, as the world has become a much more complicated place, with isolationist policies driving tariffs globally. To adapt without spending billions, MINI heavily revised the F56 (based on the UKL architecture) and integrated the new design language that debuted with the J01.
MIN’s “Power of Choice” strategy has its challenges however. For one, the current Cooper ICE models are built on an 11-year-old architecture. While still good, it lacks newer technologies and materials that could make the platform lighter, better packaged, and improve design issues—such as the long front overhang that has plagued MINI designers since the F56.
This raises the question: what’s next for the electric MINI Cooper and Aceman? We’ll have some educated speculation on this soon.
Perhaps build the next Cooper on the 2 series platform. The Aceman could be built at BMW Mexico or South Carolina.
Why wouldn’t MINI consider a hybrid. It’s absolutely proven technology. Economy, performance, low emissions. What’s not to like.
Do you think BMW would shutter MINI in its entirety or do another rebrand. Happy Holidays and thanks for all the MINI content throughout the year!
Headline just last week: After Years of Going Big, American Car Buyers Are Downsizing – Sales of smaller cars and compact SUVs have been on the rise this year with more shoppers giving priority to affordability
The crossover SUV is king in the US, but there are still many huge vehicles (pickup trucks and SUVs mostly) with only one person driving them and maybe one passenger at best. Small compact cars are there, but dwindling. I’ve driven a Honda Fit for almost 16 years, so I notice these things. Honda doesn’t even sell the Fit in the US anymore. They want you to buy the crossover HR-V, because they make more profit on it.
I’m surprised that BMW hasn’t sold the MINI brand to the Chinese yet (there were several rumors in the past). Their management of MINI hasn’t been good over the past few years from partnering with a middling Chinese brand and having subpar EV range, to removing any kind of manual controls on their ICE vehicles (in the US) and limiting customization (only allowing basic exterior colors on certain trims, the JCW trim debacle, cheap and limited interior colors, etc.)
BMW was off to a good start with the MINI E, but dropped the ball by giving all of their advancements to the BMW i3, a vehicle no one asked for. Had they made the i3 the MINI EV all of those years ago it might still be around. All of these decisions just exacerbate the floundering legacy automakers have been doing when it comes to transitioning to a more sustainable future.
They can’t even seem to make a decent hybrid outside of Toyota or possibly Honda. The latter of which is talking about a partnership (merger?) with Nissan, because neither of them can figure out how to make an affordable EV with decent range and charging speeds either (the Honda Prologue is a GM in disguise, the Nissan Leaf is all but dead, and the Nissan Ariya is ok, but lacks range and charging speed).
Meanwhile the Chinese are set to grow their nation’s percentage of EVs to 50% next year, 10 years ahead of schedule!!! Legacy auto is doomed in the next 10 to 15 years if they can’t figure these things out. China has an enormous and growing auto market that companies, like Buick and VW cater more to than their domestic markets. Sadly many smaller brands, like MINI, will get snapped up by larger brands just like Lotus, Volvo/Polestar, and MG did.
“Subpar EV range” – the lighter battery – is a large part of what makes the F56-based Cooper SE so fun to drive. In a market where everyone is chasing larger and larger range numbers, regardless of weight, I’d argue it was good management to put a product out there that went in a different direction and put driving dynamics first. Today’s common refrain that “EVs are boring” simply doesn’t apply here.
It’s probably true. I saw this a few days ago on bmw blog. They mentioned a dealer bulletin in the UK. It makes sense though, and I think the writing was on the wall. J01 does not sell well, there are already 30% discounts on them in China.