BMW will build Mini EV’s in China

BMW has said that they are now planning to choose a production site in China dedicated to manufacturing Mini electric cars. This comes after they signed a letter of intent to start a joint venture with China's largest SUV and pickup manufacturer, Great Wall Motor Co.

If the deal goes through, this will be the first time that Great Wall will partner with a foreign manufacturing partner. The Mini EV assembly site would also become the first outside of Europe.

According to BMW, the next step to seeing this deal come to fruition will be for both companies to come to terms with the possible joint venture and hash out the particulars including the concrete investments, as well as the choice of production location.

In a separate statement, Great Wall said that a joint venture with BMW would help them better meet the needs of their consumers, as well as tap into both the local and international market for energy vehicles.

Great Wall was the first to confirm talks of a joint venture with BMW last year in October. At the time, BMW only said that they planned on expanding Mini to china with a local partner, but they did not name a company.

As of the moment, automakers and suppliers are scrambling to penetrate China's large market. This comes after Chinese quotas for electric and rechargeable hybrid vehicles to make up at least 20% of total sales less than a decade from now in 2025.

China is already ahead of the curve when it comes to electric vehicle adoption. The government, for one, has begun to offer direct incentives for those purchasing electric vehicles.

All these initiatives are likely what drove BMW to decide to bring their upcoming Mini electric to foreign territory and into China.