In September 2023, Mini said that from 2026 it would build the fully electrical cooper and Aceman at the Oxford plant. BMWblog Only reported on a possible change in the plans with a delay until the start of production. It is now official – the “J01” and “J05” will not reach the meeting line in Great Britain next year. The parent company BMW Group told Autocar Magic that a decision had been made to delay the EV production indefinitely.
“In view of the multiple uncertainties exposed to the automotive industry, the BMW Group is currently checking the time for the reintroduction of the battery mini-production in Oxford.”
When the announcement was made, the BMW group said that it would invest 600 million pounds to prepare the Oxford site for the electro duo. This applies to USD 758 million or € 724 million for current exchange rates. Autocar has learned that most of the money has already been spent. However, a subsidy from the British government will no longer be carried out. The funds already issued became the improvement of the Swindon body and the expansion of the body shop. In addition, Mini has invested in logistics and set up a special area for the installation of batteries.
At the moment, the three-door slanted rear and its five-door crossover siblings are only produced in China. The zero emission coop and aceman are produced by Spotlight Automotive, a 50:50 joint venture between the BMW group and the large wall engine. The EVS are created in a new factory in Zhangjiagen with an annual production capacity of 160,000 vehicles.
There is almost no chance to see the “J01” and “J05” produced by China. We had hoped that the two would make it to North America when production in Oxford started. Since the future of the two electric cars built in Great Britain is uncertain, the chances of a US visa are not good. All potential new tariffs imposed by the Trump administration would further reduce the likelihood that EV pairs in the United States would be reduced.
Source: AutoCar
