Mini scraps U.S. launch plans for new electric models

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SameGuy

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Mini scraps U.S. launch plans for new electric models
Mini pulls the plug on U.S. rollout of electric Cooper and Aceman.
Mini enthusiasts in the United States hoping for the electric Cooper and Aceman will have to wait. Mini confirmed it has deferred plans to introduce these models to the U.S. and Canadian markets indefinitely.

The new electric Cooper and Aceman, unveiled over a year ago, seemed like strong contenders for U.S. consumers, particularly the larger Aceman crossover. However, production challenges and steep tariffs on Chinese-built electric vehicles (EVs) have complicated their path to American showrooms.
 
No surprise there. The real question is whether or not there will be an influx of Chinese PHEVs as the workaround. Seems to be going on in Europe.
 
I think the real question is, what happens to MINI in the US if Trump adds tariffs to all imports. That would hit future EVs from the Oxford and Leipzig plants. MINI only sold 17k cars in the US last year? And sales are down this year?
 
17,552 YTD in Q3 2024 and 22,769 YTD in Q3 2023. 2023 had annual sales of 33,497 (29,504 in 2022), so we'll find out the results in 2025.
 
I think where MINI will really lose out is on the Aceman, but they'd really need to sell the SE version starting at $30k. I'm considering a mid size CUV for the future but don't find the Countryman EV all that compelling at its price point.

MINi's USA sales have really plummeted from their high of 76354 units in 2012 - obviously need to bring back the Coupe and the Roadster (in EV form) :)
 
Back in 2012 it was 66,123 in USA and 301,526 total global deliveries (21.9% for USA) for MINI. In 2023 MINI had 295,474 global deliveries and MINI USA accounted for 33,497 (11.3%). It's fair to say that the North American market is just not as important as it once was a decade ago.

The JaGUar Type 00 is out of my budget, so I would certainly settle for a fully electric Countryman SE.
 
MrSnrub said:
No shocker here. Even in EU they have priced themselves out of the market.
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If the MINI built at the brand-new Spotlight plant in China is so expensive, how much will the Oxford J01 built with all-imported parts and living-wage labor have to cost?
 
insightman said:
If the MINI built at the brand-new Spotlight plant in China is so expensive, how much will the Oxford J01 built with all-imported parts and living-wage labor have to cost?
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Gonna be tough because robots need a living wage too. BMW already dealt with the elimination of Chinese rare earth elements for the Gen5 motors but I think they are gearing up battery production for Neue Klasse silicon carbide (800V) in Gen6.
 
teslarati97 said:
Gonna be tough because robots need a living wage too. BMW already dealt with the elimination of Chinese rare earth elements for the Gen5 motors but I think they are gearing up battery production for Neue Klasse silicon carbide (800V) in Gen6.
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I may have erred to assume the new Spotlight factory would have fewer humans assembling cars than Plant Oxford.
 
Qisl said:
I think the real question is, what happens to MINI in the US if Trump adds tariffs to all imports. That would hit future EVs from the Oxford and Leipzig plants. MINI only sold 17k cars in the US last year? And sales are down this year?
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As UK is our the best partner from Europe as Trump should be a best mind in business and as small amount of Minis Coopers SEs coming to USA as 15000 units without a tariffs for next few years as PRESIDENT he should make a small exemption to let go for 15000 citizens to be happy with Mini Cooper to drive those go carts and if he is with people as he claim and that minimal attempt he can do it to show his big picture of his connection with small people as this is his small part taking care of anybody will be bigger achievement than all his big think as boarder gas and economics but how to make this happen we just Cooper drivers as little people and
 
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Qisl said:
I think the real question is, what happens to MINI in the US if Trump adds tariffs to all imports. That would hit future EVs from the Oxford and Leipzig plants. MINI only sold 17k cars in the US last year? And sales are down this year?
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He can do exceptions to friends as UK as is not so many cars be imported from there anyway to make us HAPPY CITIZENS of USA is such a small think can get to his government and I call HIM myself as a joke
 
insightman said:
If the MINI built at the brand-new Spotlight plant in China is so expensive, how much will the Oxford J01 built with all-imported parts and living-wage labor have to cost?
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Right now in UK there is just 10% standard Tariff on Non EU cars, EU is brand dependent. Each manufacture has their own tariff rate with lowest being 17%.. As it stands from an Economic perspective it is cheaper to bring in Chinese made Mini Coopers Vs Retooling Oxford. Also Plant Oxford itself is sorta in need of massive investment. The plant is getting rather old. I think we could see a new assembly line in Poland or Slovenia for Mini in the near future otherwise there will be some serious product line issues at Mini for USA/Canada.. IMO there already is
 
I might just end up buying one in Mexico and using it over here without importing it.

I wonder what this will do to the resell value of the f56 electric versions
 
xd366 said:
I wonder what this will do to the resell value of the f56 electric versions
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If Americans wanted small, sporty, electric cars, there would be small, sporty, electric cars from other manufacturers, too. I would not expect the market for used small, sporty, electric cars with EPA range ratings of less than 120 miles to be growing.

However, because Porsche can't get their electric 918s into production due to battery-supplier problems, a used F56 MINI Cooper SEs continues to be the most fun EV you can buy (I'm not counting the ultra-rare original Lotus-based Tesla Roadster). Of course, I'm assuming handling--not just acceleration--is included in the definition of automotive fun.
 
insightman said:
If Americans wanted small, sporty, electric cars, there would be small, sporty, electric cars from other manufacturers, too. I would not expect the market for used small, sporty, electric cars with EPA range ratings of less than 120 miles to be growing.

However, because Porsche can't get their electric 918s into production due to battery-supplier problems, a used F56 MINI Cooper SEs continues to be the most fun EV you can buy (I'm not counting the ultra-rare original Lotus-based Tesla Roadster). Of course, I'm assuming handling--not just acceleration--is included in the definition of automotive fun.
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As my Mini cooper 3years old as I pay $30000 with $7500 credit $22500 price why I look for 918 Porsche with price start at $75000 to $105000 depends on trim as mini Cooper SE is daily driver as very good acceleration and fun to drive and is nothing on market similar to SE
 
Rexsio said:
As my Mini cooper 3years old as I pay $30000 with $7500 credit $22500 price why I look for 918 Porsche with price start at $75000 to $105000 depends on trim as mini Cooper SE is daily driver as very good acceleration and fun to drive and is nothing on market similar to SE
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Oops, I goofed. I meant 718 (Boxster and Cayman), not 918. The 918 will be Porsche's EV hypercar coming much further down the line.

My point was I'll have to drop my claim the MINI Cooper SE is the most fun EV at any price after those 718s finally make it to market.

I know there are rumors that 718 prices will start around $75K, but I'll be surprised if they come in a penny under $90K.

Unfortunately for Porsche, Northvolt, the Swedish company slated to supply the 718s' HV batteries, is now in bankruptcy. Porsche's looking for another battery supplier and the production of 718 EVs has been delayed.

Our SEs will continue to be the most fun EV for a while longer.
 
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