MINI Might Only Sell Electric Vehicles in the US
The MINI brand we know and love today in the U.S. might not be the same in a few years.
The British automaker is currently planning to launch an all-electric MINI model in 2019, and it could mark the start of a significant change for the brand. According to Peter Schwarzenbauer, BMW board member and MINI’s boss, parent company BMW is looking into making MINI all-electric in the U.S. That means MINI would strictly target urban consumers looking for a compact, all-electric method of transportation similar to what Daimler is doing with Smart.
SEE ALSO: Stylish Concept Previews Future Electric MINI Model
Currently, BMW is talking to automakers all around the world on the possibility of partnering up and finding a way to reduce the cost of developing electric powertrains for compact cars. Schwarzenbauer acknowledged fitting batteries with sufficient range into a smaller vehicle is a challenge.
In the U.S., overall demand for compact and subcompact cars has given way to the growing popularity of crossovers and SUVs. And since larger vehicles doesn’t exactly fit MINI’s profile, Schwarzenbauer said pointing MINI “in the direction of the electric urban mobility company,” is a good way for MINI to build the brand in the U.S.
[Source: Automotive News]
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taking a page from smart-usa playbook. and we all know how well that turned out.
If they do they can kiss their ass goodbye.