We broke the news late last year that MINI was changing course, pausing plans to build the J01 electric MINI Cooper and Aceman in the UK. We then confirmed that MINI had canceled plans to build the electric J03 MINI Cooper Convertible in China with Spotlight Motors. But what does all this mean for the future of the electric MINI Cooper? Here’s what we know and what might happen.

The Electric MINI Cooper in North America

MINI’s current lineup is entirely new as of last year. As you’ll see below, the brand is in a strong position, offering a fresh range of models in most parts of the world. But there are asterisks. If you want an electric MINI Cooper and live in North America, you could be waiting a very long time. MINI’s goal of selling an all-new electric MINI Cooper globally went up in smoke when an international trade war broke out in 2018. Add new, strong competition like the Renault 5 and Volvo EX30 and MINI has a lot to think about.

At present, there are no plans to offer the electric J01 MINI Cooper—let alone the Aceman—in North America. This creates a significant gap in MINI’s product portfolio for the region.

Production TimelineBMW PlatformProduction LocationEuropeAsiaNorth America
J01 Cooper EV2024 – 2031J0ChinaXX
J05 Aceman EV2024 – 2031J0ChinaXX
F66 Cooper ICE2024 – TBD*UKLEnglandXXX
F65 Cooper 5 Door ICE2024 – TBD*UKLEnglandXXX
F67 Cooper Convertible ICE2024 – TBD*UKLEnglandXXX
U25 Countryman ICE2024 – TBD*FAARGermanyXXX
U25 Countryman EV2024 – TBD*FAARGermanyXXX
* MINI has moved from defined end of production (EOP) to TBD on several models.

Shifting Model Availability

For 2025, the overall product mix remains unchanged. However, individual markets are adjusting model availability. For instance, Australia and New Zealand recently announced the cancellation of the entry-level Cooper E and Aceman E models. With pricing, tariffs, and competitive factors in play, we can expect similar adjustments across other markets in the coming years.

In Europe things remain the same but the 20% tariff that is being applied to the J01 electric MINI Cooper and MINI Aceman will have an impact. Whether it’s on the price consumers pay or the profit MINI makes, it will undoubtedly spur MINI to find ways around it.

Will Electric MINI’s Be Made in the UK?

It’s too early to make ironclad predictions, but based on the investments BMW has already made and the steady march toward EVs in the UK, we believe Oxford will eventually produce electric MINIs. However, that might take much longer than MINI originally planned.

While MINI could wait for a refresh of the existing J01 and J05, we believe a more radical approach is likely in the works—one where an all-new electric MINI Cooper, designed and engineered by BMW, is built at the plant. However, given the investment required, this likely wouldn’t happen before 2028 and could even extend past 2030.

Will Electric MINI’s Be Made in North America?

Ten years ago, the idea of MINIs being made in North America would have sounded crazy. But given today’s global manufacturing landscape, it no longer seems far-fetched. If MINI were to establish production in the region, we’d expect the Countryman or Aceman to be the ideal candidates, given the North American market’s strong preference for crossovers.

There are two production facilities that BMW could use. The brand’s Spartanburg plant is its largest and is being upgraded for EV production as we speak. Then there’s the new San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico. Despite being relatively new, it’s also being upgraded to be one of five assembly sites worldwide for BMW’s Gen6 high-voltage batteries. This could make it an ideal candidate for electric Countryman or Aceman production.

What Will Happen to the J01 MINI Cooper and J05 MINI Aceman?

Despite the drama, both are good products that should have plenty of life left in them. We expect MINI to refresh both around 2026 with improved charging speeds and greater range. Our sources also suggest looking for design tweaks and interior material upgrades.

What happens after that is anyone’s guess. We might see a second generation, or—more likely—MINI could move in another direction. In that scenario, we’d expect an all-new model designed and engineered by BMW, potentially leveraging the Neue Klasse platform if it can be downsized enough. Alternatively, MINI could partner with another European automaker to help offset development costs.