BMW forms joint venture to build MINI's EV in China

The company has made \"no concrete plans\" to export these cars to other markets.

BMW Group has finalized plans to build MINI electric vehicles in China.

The German automaker has teamed with China's Great Wall Motor to form a 50:50 joint venture, known as "Spotlight Automotive Limited," for development and production of electric vehicles for MINI and Great Wall brands.

The companies will build a new production facility in Jiangsu Province, following the MINI EV's start-of-production next year at MINI's primary factory in Oxford.

"Today's signing represents a new level of cooperation between China and Germany," says BMW chief Harald Krüger. "This strategic partnership is a clear win-win for the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor, enabling us to contribute to China's ambitious plans to ramp-up new energy vehicles and reduce emissions in the mobility sector."

In a follow-up statement, a BMW spokesperson noted that the joint venture's current distribution focus will be electric MINI vehicles for the Chinese market.

"Currently there are no concrete plans to export these cars," the spokesperson added.