Hot! MINI: What's Next?

[SF Dede]

Any update on when Oxford will start producing the J01 and possible timing for US sales?

 

[SCOTT27]

I believe they will be manufactured and exported from China. On sale date globally is early 2024.

 

[lukeswiss]

I believe they will be manufactured and exported from China. On sale date globally is early 2024.

I am already on a list.

Any update on when Oxford will start producing the J01 and possible timing for US sales?

They are setting the plant up for it from what I read, but I think after 2025?

 

[Matski]

They are setting the plant up for it from what I read, but I think after 2025?

2027 was what I saw mentioned. The recent pledge of investment wasn't specifically to bring production of that car to Cowley, just to secure long term production including electric vehicles, so it might not happen at all for this gen.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Isn't this car with technology from Great Wall? If so, the Chinese would hardly let BMW AG produce it outside China. It's a Chinese car through and through and there is no BMW technology in its drive train.

 

[Matski]

Isn't this car with technology from Great Wall? If so, the Chinese would hardly let BMW AG produce it outside China. It's a Chinese car through and through and there is no BMW technology in its drive train.

Since 2019 it's a 50/50 joint venture with Great Wall called "Spotlight Automotive" to cover joint R & D, jointly developed electric cars and local production of Great Wall cars. I'd be surprised if production was contractually exclusive to China, though I'd also be surprised if it was planned for Mini to build it at Cowley - BMW recently committed another 10 Billion RMB to battery production China, there's no capacity or investment here for that, and realistically nothing on the horizon.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Since 2019 it's a 50/50 joint venture with Great Wall called "Spotlight Automotive" to cover joint R & D, jointly developed electric cars and local production of Great Wall cars. I'd be surprised if production was contractually exclusive to China, though I'd also be surprised if it was planned for Mini to build it at Cowley - BMW recently committed another 10 Billion RMB to battery production China, there's no capacity or investment here for that, and realistically nothing on the horizon.

50/50 because BMW are designing the body, AFAIR Great Wall are entirely responsible for the drive train.

 

[dalab]

50/50 because BMW are designing the body, AFAIR Great Wall are entirely responsible for the drive train.

I understand that the tuning of the chassis, according to what I read somewhere, is also done by BMW, to maintain the characteristics "go kart", etc. so distinctive of the Mini.

A bit off topic but this is amazing....
BMW prevented a Chinese brand from copying the design of its famous Mini, do you think they look alike?
The Chinese brand Beijing Estek Technology projected it as its next classic electric vehicle, but BMW cut short its plans

Chinese Company's Attempt To Copyright Classic MINI Design For EV Fails | Carscoops

BMW objected to knock-off Mini that features front-mounted electric motor

www.carscoops.com

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

I understand that the tuning of the chassis, according to what I read somewhere, is also done by BMW, to maintain the characteristics "go kart", etc. so distinctive of the Mini.

A bit off topic but this is amazing....
BMW prevented a Chinese brand from copying the design of its famous Mini, do you think they look alike?
The Chinese brand Beijing Estek Technology projected it as its next classic electric vehicle, but BMW cut short its plans

Chinese Company's Attempt To Copyright Classic MINI Design For EV Fails | Carscoops

BMW objected to knock-off Mini that features front-mounted electric motor

www.carscoops.com

Chassis is not part of the drive train. This is very similar to the Z4 and Supra. Toyota make the design and the tuning of the chassis and BMW are responsible for the platform, the drive train and the manufacturing.

 

[SF Dede]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my question and contributed to the discussion. Much appreciated.

 

[SCOTT27]

On September 1st we get to see the first of a new generation of MINI’s.

 

[advantage20]

 

[Centurion]

Wow. What a big interior refresher. I see influences from the BMW iX. Can’t wait to see more.

 

[SCOTT27]

There is some Land Rover influences in this new Countryman.

 

[Giannis]

The Countryman looks amazing. The regular MINI looks a bit squished, though.

 

[SCOTT27]

I agree. I was extremely vocal about my distaste for the current Countryman. The new one is fantastic both inside and out. These will be huge sellers. It’s very lifestyle orientated but more minimalist.

 

[azeez samara]

I agree. I was extremely vocal about my distaste for the current Countryman. The new one is fantastic both inside and out. These will be huge sellers. It’s very lifestyle orientated but more minimalist.

I have never admired any mini car until this new country man.The launch spec is amazing and I wouldn't change any thing
Btw I don't feel the new mini cooper as it looks too much plain without any surfacing and it is very much squished.

 

[dalab]

The Countryman is a no-brainer, it must look excellent in person, as well as in the photos, about the Cooper they got rid of everything I liked, chrome, black plastic, britishness and general aggressiveness, I think I have to see it IRL to appreciate it well with so many differences and its new volumes, but for now it looks very modern, yes...

 

[lukeswiss]

The Countryman looks amazing. The regular MINI looks a bit squished, though.

They all look like that when they’ve just been born.

 

[dalab]

Mini five-door hatchback to return as part of "simple" line-up
Electric and petrol power on cards for Mini's reborn VW Golf rival, but funky Urbanaut is still "in the freezer"

Thanks for that.....

Wurst added that the Mini range wouldn’t dramatically expand in the future – describing plans for a production version of the Mini Urbanaut MPV shown at the 2021 Munich show as “in the freezer”.

Mmmmm....

“Mini has to be simple. A Mini range cannot be complicated to understand. Maybe that’s why Paceman was not a successful offer."

Denying your father?.....

“Simplicity and making [the range] easy to understand is one of the prerequisites of Mini, and it should stay like this. We don’t want to become a second BMW.”

While Smart basically copied in market segment, concept, design and size with the #1 what the Countryman was, the new Countryman (a step or two ahead), entered a huge segment of players like the Bronco Sport that is even 5 cm smaller than the Mini, summarizing and seeing the new model, they are going to get tired of so many that they are going to sell

New Mini Cooper five-door primed to go after Golf | Autocar

First prototypes start testing as Mini prepares to complete "simple" four-car line-up

www.autocar.co.uk