http://insideevs.com/mini-slows-electric-car-plans/ Mini Slows Electric Car Plans [20151002] by Mark Kane
[images http://insideevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/42.jpg MINI Superleggera Vision EV http://insideevs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/P90108511_lowRes-350x196.jpg MINI E EV ] While the the MINI electric vehicle program inches closer to production, it will still be years before the company actually launches any production Superleggera Vision EV or MINI E. Everything began early way back in 2008 with hundreds of MINI E 2-seat prototypes, powered by AC Propoulsion drivetrains and battery packs, under BMW’s preparation for the i3 launch. But by 2015, MINI’s product management boss Ralph Mahler has cooled aspirations for MINI EVs to new lows, according to Auto Express. “MINI has ruled out launching a new all-electric successor to the MINI E – at least in the short term” In the short term there will be no electric MINI. One of the indicated reason is that “only in Norway demand for BEVs is high“: “Electric vehicles are something we always analyse, but there’s currently only one market with EV demand. We must ensure the products fit that demand. It’s a possibility, but not on the near future.” If MINI Superleggera Vision will not make it into production, some of the design elements are promised to be used in forthcoming ICE models, such as the new Mini Convertible. That has to be consolation, right? [© insideevs.com] http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/frankfurt-motor-show/92837/electric-minis-put-on-the-back-burner Electric MINIs put on the back burner 15 Sep, 2015 Stuart Milne [images http://cdn1.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/article_main_image/public/6/05//_dsc7165.jpg 2009 MINI E concept http://cdn2.autoexpress.co.uk/sites/autoexpressuk/files/styles/insert_main_image/public/8/40//p90151109-highres.jpg?itok=BvqOPktI MINI Superleggera ] MINI has ruled out launching a new all-electric successor to the MINI E – at least in the short term Speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show, MINI’s product management boss Ralph Mahler said that, because there’s currently only one European market with high demand for EVs – Norway – a new generation of MINI E was unlikely. He said: “Electric vehicles are something we always analyse, but there’s currently only one market with EV demand. We must ensure the products fit that demand. It’s a possibility, but not on the near future.” Mahler explained that although 300,000 MINIs were sold globally in 2014, the brand was still fairly small. In the same period, its parent brand BMW totalled more than 1.8m sales. “That means MINI remains focused on the mainstream. We must follow demands,” he said. But Mahler underlined that this doesn’t mean MINI can’t be a trendsetter, although he played down a production version of the MINI Superleggera. The Mazda MX-5 rival was first shown at the Villa d’Este in Italy in 2014. “It’s not a no-go.” “The MINI brand must develop, but there must be some self-driven limits”. Malher also revealed that, while the roadster may not make production, some of the design elements used in the “vision car” may appear on other forthcoming models, such as the new Mini Convertible, due in the coming months. MINI boss Peter Schwarzenbauer had previously said there would be five “superheroes” in the brand. They will include both hatchbacks, Clubman, Countryman and Convertible, but Mahler would not be drawn on the fifth major model line. He played down suggestions that far larger MINI models may appear in the coming years. “The MINI name is sort of limiting”, but “we always try to be the smallest car in the segment”. But they’ll be no luxury saloon in the range, because MINI has no heritage in that part of the market. Whatever new models finally launch, the name will sound familiar. MINI owns they trademark on many historical names from Mini’s past, but they will be only used “when those names make sense”. [© autoexpress.co.uk] ... [dated] http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/best-cars/86169/best-electric-cars-on-sale Best electric cars to buy now 3 Aug, 2015 Sam Naylor ... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/mini/87164/mini-superleggera-vision-retro-concept-car-revealed MINI Superleggera Vision retro concept car revealed 23 May, 2014 Luke Madden For EVLN EV-newswire posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-BMW-sez-not-now-to-nextgen-Mini-EV-production-still-tinkering-tp4677988.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org Read EVAngel's EV News at http://evdl.org/evln/ Please discuss EV drag racing at NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
