4th Gen MINI Cooper | 2024 - 2031 J01 MINI Cooper (Electric) J05 Aceman | 2025-2032 MINI Aceman MINI Cooper
Opinion: Why MINI Halting (J01) Cooper & (J05) Aceman UK Production Plans is a Good Thing
MINI is rumored to be reversing its decision to build the electric MINI Cooper and Aceman in the UK. While it may seem shocking, it shows us that MINI, unlike other automakers, is quickly pivoting based on buyer feedback. We think this move is a good thing and here’s why and we’re genuinely optimistic about the brand’s future.
First – this move shows that MINI is paying attention.
Demand for EVs has slowed globally and the rollout of infrastructure is slower than many had anticipated. While it’s hard to debate that electric cars will be the future for most consumers, adoption has become varied depending on market and region. By delaying any plans, MINI is trying to find the right product mix for the current global needs.
Second – it’s important to pay attention to how BMW has evolved its global production strategy.
Officially MINI has said they are only deferring plans to import the J01 and J05. But there’s a couple important aspects to that statement. By officially deferring the decision they’re leaving the door wide open giving the brand a number of potential scenarios for the future.
One of the more interesting aspects of BMW’s product and production strategy is that they can build almost anything in any factory on several continents. While MINI and BMW have not said a word about making MINIs in Mexico or even the US, there’s always a possibility that they could go that route.
Third – this move gives MINI the luxury of time.
That’s important for a number of reasons. Seeing how global politics of tariffs plays out will be critical. But it also gives MINI a chance to gain insight from buyers and potential customers. This data could be crucial in helping MINI revised the J01 and J05 or bring new electric MINIs to market. Finally waiting allows MINI to take advantage of technology developments that will allow for better performance, longer range and faster charging.
It may sound counter intuitive but I believe that MINI is in one of the strongest positions it’s been in for years. With 17 new models globally, it’s clear that BMW is invested in the brand and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.
Product mix is key. MINI has embraced a high level of flexibility allowing it to offer customers exactly what they want given their needs. Yes there are details that MINI needs to get right like more customization, broad availability of shift paddles and even manual transmissions. But the foundation is there for MINI to build on. And hitting pause on the J01 and the J05 being produced in the UK might end up being the best thing for the brand.
After yesterday’s discouraging news, this is much more encouraging insight! Having owned MINIs for 15 years (currently own two R53s), I have seen the deep brand loyalty that these cars attract.
In the meantime, they have a gaping hole in the US lineup. Without the Aceman, there is a sweet spot left open between the 4 door Cooper and newly embiggened Countryman.
Our fun R59S is sold, was preemptively done to switch to an electric Aceman. Not great news, but understand the technology and silly political hangups/uncertainties/irrational absurdities here in the States. Yes, hoping range of at least 3 hundred miles and an 800V architecture for fast charging, so will wait to see. In the mean, missing our perfect R59. We’ve gone totally electric. Love it so far.
We agree – EVs can be amazing. The Aceman is a great addition to the line-up no matter where it’s made. We’re hoping we see some version at some point in the US.
I’ve moved on as well. I was toying with the idea of leasing the MINI Cooper SE before it was discontinued in the US to hold me over until the new one might have come out in 2027, but the range (114 miles) and charging speed (50kW) just weren’t viable. I ended up leasing a Tesla Model 3 for three years instead.
The deal was just too good to pass up and the vehicle is leagues ahead of any comparable EV or ICE vehicle in its class, especially at the price I got it for. I hope other manufacturers catch up and that beloved brands, like MINI survive, but I needed reliable transportation and I wanted a sustainable choice now, not years from now.
Electric is hands down the future of transportation. I don’t understand why there aren’t charging stations in every grocery store parking lot across the US. This seems like a no brainer to me.
I’m glad y’all have a sunny view of this. I don’t. I hope you’re right.
What I see is a company that is deeply *** up, that hasn’t got a clue what it’s doing, and is simultaneously alienating old customers while failing to deliver what new customers want.
The whole visual aesthetic of the new MINIs is uber-hipster, cosmopolitan…. the interior LITERALLY looks like a giant Apple Watch with a textile band. Like it’s hard to believe they didn’t sit down and go, let’s make it like living inside your Apple Watch with a textile band.
The only people that appeals to are people who insist of driving an EV, but here we are, with an Apple Watch on wheels burning gasoline, take it or leave it.
am actually shopping for an Apple Watch with a textile band right now, yet I don’t want to drive it, I just want to wear it on my wrist. I want to drive a car that burns petroleum and makes a certain sound and most importantly has a dashboard with dials on it and stuff, I want to imagine I’m Steve McQueen or Paul Newman, a man who knows a thing or two about cars, and MINI seems hellbent on telling me that I’m not their target audience.
(Aside: is “listening to their customers” a euphemism? How are they planning to “listen to their customers”? Shouldn’t they be listening to the people who aren’t their customers? Am I supposed to drive 100 miles to the nearest MINI dealership and give them an earful? I would if I thought it would make any difference, but c’mon.)
I can accept the inevitable changes demanded by the passing years…. the disappearance of manual transmissions, the pedestrian-friendly hoods. What I can’t accept are the asinine details… the crappy flashy pixelated stripes they’re ramming down our throats just to let us know how little they care for our tastes…. you can’t even get a white roof on a JCW ffs…. it’s the pettiness of the brand, how they seem to have gone through the car with a fine tooth comb to get rid of every single detail that made us love it in the first place.
(vomit emoticon)
The new Apple Watch band interior still beats the heck out of the previous interior. I’ve got a 2024 and the interior is utter crap. Orbs everywhere. Incredibly cluttered. The new minimal interior is like a breath of fresh air.