BMW and the Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor today signed an agreement to produce MINI electric vehicles through a new 50:50 joint venture based in China. During an event for autonomous and connected driving attended by China’s Premier Li Keqiang and Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin, the BMW Group and Great Wall Motor committed to found a new joint venture, “Spotlight Automotive Limited”, for the development and production of electric vehicles in China.
As well as MINI electric vehicles, the joint venture will also produce electric vehicles for Great Wall Motor. The establishment of the new company is subject to approval from the relevant Chinese authorities and the completion of business registration procedures. The joint venture will be located in Jiangsu Province, where both partners will together create a new state-of-the-art production facility.
“Today’s signing represents a new level of cooperation between China and Germany,” said Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, during the signing ceremony. “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,” elaborated Krüger.
The joint venture’s activities will focus on the development, procurement and production of electric vehicles for the Chinese market. In 2017, China was MINI’s fourth-largest market, with around 35,000 units delivered.
