BMW representatives revealed yesterday that research and development of the next electric Mini will be carried out in China, according to Reuters. The German car-maker is currently nurturing a deal with Chinese firm Great Wall Motor Co., as local regulations back home are pushing intellectual property abroad.
Until now research and development of the electric Mini has taken place in BMW’s German headquarters.
“You have to have certain components localised. In the new energy vehicles regulation, the drivetrain and the battery technology needs to be sourced locally,” BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer said yesterday.