Mini’s new electric family SUV revealed – but it’ll be made in CHINA

MINI is the pin-up of British motoring.

The world’s most recognisable car. Something us Brits can be fiercely proud of.

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To this day, the core models have always been built right here in the UK. But I’ve got some bad news for you.

Future Minis — which will be pure electric like every other brand — are going to be made in China.

I know this happens a lot. The Land Rover Defender has gone to Slovakia. The Ford Transit has gone to Turkey.

Disappointing.

But what I find a bit cheeky is Mini milking the “Britishness” of a German-designed, Chinese-built car.

Count how many Union Flags are plastered on this Aceman crossover coming late 2024.

I spotted nine.

On the roof. On the wheel arches. On the front grille. Behind the dash. And of course, integrated in the tail lights. Not to mention the British Racing Green roof paint.

Bosses clearly want people to remember Mini’s roots to flog this car all over the world, yet there are no British fingerprints on it. It’s not ours.

It gets worse.

The three-door Mini Electric — currently built in Oxford — will also be made in China from 2024.

HEADLAMP EVEN WINKS AT YOU

So the obvious question is, are Mini’s three UK factories which employ 5,500 workers at Oxford, Hams Hall and Swindon at risk?

Thankfully, the answer is no.

They are not going anywhere, insists Head of Mini Stefanie Wurst. See our exclusive Q&A with the big chief, right.

Now I’m feeling a little more positive, I’m happy to admit the Aceman is ace.

Simple dash and controls, just like the original 1959 Mini. Round central OLED screen. Knitted   recycled textiles. No chrome. No leather. Five seats. And a decent boot.

I’m not sure about those orange speakers on the front and rear bumpers. They play a tune while the lights do a little dance to welcome you.

The right headlamp even WINKS at you.

The silhouette of the car is unmistakably a Mini. So it’s cool. Size-wise, it sits nicely between a Mini hatch and a Countryman, which, by the way is getting bigger and will have petrol and pure electric versions.

As for the-all-important range, Aceman will have two battery options — standard at 186 miles and long-range at 248 miles.

There will also be a hot John Cooper Works version with four-wheel drive.

Recharging to 80 per cent will take 20 minutes.

Copy and paste those numbers for the next-gen Mini Electric as it will use the same battery tech, as well as the same fresh interior.

Expect Mini Electric to start at £34k. Aceman at £37k. That’s around 300,000 Chinese Yuan.

Q&A

STEFANIE Wurst, Head of Mini

SHOULD we be worried about Oxford?

No. Oxford is the home of the brand. We will always make sure that Oxford has a sufficient amount of Minis to produce.

You say that but Aceman and the next Mini Electric will be built in China. Countryman in Germany. The only cars confirmed for Oxford are petrol-powered – and Mini will be EV-only by 2030.

Then we will have to introduce a new concept to Oxford, that’s for sure. We will have a production footprint in Oxford. A significant footprint.

Still making cars for the world?

Yes. For the world. There will be investment in Oxford.

And Hams Hall and Swindon?

Yes.

Can Mini go smaller?

Regulatory demands and restrictions in cities are on the rise. This is an opportunity for Mini to look into urban cars.

Like a Citroen Ami?

I wouldn’t make any assumption right now, but I think the small-size vehicle segment or maybe even beyond that is very promising for Mini.

Not everyone will want to go on the Tube. There are still people in the city who need to transport things or people.

A Mini Minor, then. But will it have four wheels?

Yes. It will have four wheels. But above and beyond four wheels, there are other concepts imaginable under the Mini brand.

Do you have a Mini story?

My Dad used to work for BMW and he built the first concept car of the Mini. He was in Oxford a lot.

My cousin is a concept builder in one of our innovation departments working on the future, along the lines you have just asked. I am very proud to be part of a classic brand which has a digital future, an electric future, and a sustainable future, without betraying the soul of the brand.

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