Currently reading: 2023 Mini Countryman to be built in Germany
Both ICE and electric versions of next-generation SUV will be produced at BMW's Leipzig plant

The next-generation Mini Countryman, due to launch in 2023, will be built in Germany at parent firm BMW’s Leipzig plant.

Both the combustion-engined and electric versions of the new SUV will be built at the facility in Saxony, where the BMW 1 Series and 2 Series Active Tourer, which will share a platform with the next Countryman, are currently produced.

Leipzig will become the first plant in Germany to produce both BMW and Mini vehicles.

The new Countryman will be a key part of the fourth generation of Mini models since the brand came under BMW’s ownership and will follow shortly after the launch of a new three-door hatchback. Petrol versions of that model will continue to be built in the UK, with electric versions produced in China.

Mini is also developing a new compact crossover that will be built in China. Every Mini model from 2023 on will be offered with an electrified version.

Hans-Peter Kemser, the boss of the Leipzig plant, said: “Over the last few years, we have worked continuously to lead our plant into a successful future. This contract to produce the successor to the Mini Countryman gives us another major milestone to work towards.”

The Leipzig factory opened in 2005 and since 2013 has also housed production of the electric BMW i3. The German firm has recently invested around €300 million (£270m) in upgrades to expand capacity to around 350,000 units per year, including both ICE and electric vehicles.

BMW is planning a further €100m (£89m) in investment to add an e-drive components assembly facility, which is due to open in 2021 and will enable lithium ion batteries to be made there.

Production of the second-generation Countryman, which was launched in 2017, is currently contracted out to VDL Nedcar’s plant in Born, the Netherlands.

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James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Symanski 20 November 2020

BMW moving production out of the UK.

 

Another win for the Brexiters.

 

 

xxxx 20 November 2020

odear, its not moving production out of the uk, its moving production out of holland. Another remoaner refusing to read the article before putting his foot in his mouth

s4i100 20 November 2020

BMW have already said that the next generation electric Minis will be built in Germany so best case is that Cowley will survive until 2030.

xxxx 20 November 2020
s4i100 wrote:

BMW have already said that the next generation electric Minis will be built in Germany so best case is that Cowley will survive until 2030.

They've barely started this gen EV mini. Stick to commentating on this story not what might happen in 10 years time

scotty5 20 November 2020
Symanski wrote:

BMW moving production out of the UK.

Another win for the Brexiters.

What a twit you are. When the first new generation of these Clubman's hit our shores in right hand drive form, there was one slight problem - there was only ONE rear passenger door, and that was on the right-side which meant UK rear paasengers could only exit in to the traffic rather than on to the pavement. Why was it designed like that? BECAUSE IT WASN'T BUILT IN THE UK.

Now if you're proposing the new MINI is some sort of British design, then that above all else should tell you it's not.

You do the remoaners no favour at all. You continue to use fake news to support a vote you already lost. You're not related to Donald Trump by any chance?

The Colonel 20 November 2020
scotty5 wrote:

What a twit you are. When the first new generation of these Clubman's hit our shores in right hand drive form, there was one slight problem - there was only ONE rear passenger door, and that was on the right-side which meant UK rear paasengers could only exit in to the traffic rather than on to the pavement. Why was it designed like that? BECAUSE IT WASN'T BUILT IN THE UK.

That's not correct. The reason why there was only one door at the rear, and the reason why it was on the right hand side, is that it was not economically sensible to re-engineer the fuel filler on the left hand side to accommodate another door.

This did NOT mean that rear passengers could ONLY get out on the road side in right hand drive markets (not just the UK), because the front seats still tipped forward as they do in the hatch and, in respect of the rear door, one would still have to tip and slide the seat in front to get in and out.  Other than making rear access a little easier (especially for things), it made no difference when compared to the hatch.  In fact in right hand drive markets it remained easier to get in and out via the left hand front door as the range of movement of the front passenger seat was more than the driver's seat.

Bimfan 20 November 2020

I bet they won't be advertising this much in the UK.

One of the iconic names of the heyday of the British motor industry, built in Germany.

How long before the Oxford plant closes down?

xxxx 20 November 2020
Bimfan wrote:

I bet they won't be advertising this much in the UK.

One of the iconic names of the heyday of the British motor industry, built in Germany.

How long before the Oxford plant closes down?

No one knows if let alone when your wish might come true. Even if it does happen it will be after Mercedes moves the vast majority of its ICE production to China, no doubt down to brexit

jagdavey 19 November 2020

Cant use the union Jack tail lamps!!!!!

Surely it's taking the p******* having union jack tail lamps on a car built in Germany????

MarkII 20 November 2020
jagdavey wrote:

Surely it's taking the p******* having union jack tail lamps on a car built in Germany????