BMW to make electric version of the Mini in Germany rather than Britain

Luxury carmaker BMW is considering moving planned production of an electric version of its Mini compact car to Germany from Britain in response to plans by London to leave the EU single market, the Handelsblatt daily newspaper reported.

BMW may shift manufacturing to its production sites in Regensburg and Leipzig, the paper said, citing company sources. Production at Netherlands-based contract manufacturer Nedcar could also be an option, it said.

BMW plans to start talks with the British government next week, Handelsblatt said, adding a decision would have to be made during the second half of the year.

BMW plans to bring the electric Mini to market in 2019.

We first heard about BMW’s plans in October last year when the company officialy announced that it will offer all electric versions of its next generation BMW X3 compact sport utility vehicle and electric Mini models.

BMW executives had also skipped the Paris auto show to resolve differences over electric vehicle strategy and to work on a new electric product offensive, including a possible electric Mini. The electric Mini is expected to debut in about three years as said by company officials.

The company moved on before its rivals Mercedes and Audi to adopt electric cars by launching the BMW i3 battery powered car in 2013 with a lightweight body made of carbon fiber, but somehow the company hasnt managed to sell the i3 and the i8plug-in hybrid all that well.

Reuters

The post BMW to make electric version of the Mini in Germany rather than Britain appeared first on Tech2.

from http://tech.firstpost.com/auto/bmw-to-make-electric-version-of-the-mini-in-germany-rather-than-britain-364483.html