Mini Changes Course, Won't Abandon Gas Engines

The brand concedes that internal combustion is 'still very much a thing.'

2025 Mini Cooper S Review

Photo by: Maddox Kay | Motor1

Adrian Padeanu

By: Adrian Padeanu

Apr 17, 2025 at 5:03am ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

It feels like I’ve written this headline a dozen times, but with the names of other automakers instead. One by one, lofty EV goals are toppling like dominoes. We’ve seen brands get swept up in the zero-emissions hype, boldly declaring deadlines to phase out combustion engines, only to quietly walk things back a few years later.

Case in point: Mini. In 2021, the BMW-owned brand announced it would go fully electric by the decade's end. Yeah... that's not happening anymore. The company has come to terms with the reality that gas cars still reign supreme, and will for the foreseeable future. In an interview with Automotive News, Michael Peyton, Mini’s VP for the Americas, admitted the all-electric dream is being put on ice (pun intended).

2025 Mini Cooper S Hardtop 2 Door

Photo by: Maddox Kay | Motor1

'We’re still moving in that direction [an electric-only lineup], but we’ve seen, particularly for North America, ICE is still very much a thing and will be for the foreseeable future. So, we have changed a bit of our approach as a brand [and] going to build ICE longer.'

With that in mind, Peyton added that Mini will continue to spend money on gasoline-fueled cars: “You’ll see investment in new ICE products. We’re going to continue to make sure we’re building products for those customers.” He even floated the idea of a new ICE-powered crossover, one that could fill the gap left by the cancellation of the Aceman for the U.S.

The China-made EV was supposed to come to North America, but tariffs got in the way. With Mini changing its mind and deciding not to make the Aceman at home in Oxford, UK, from 2026 on, the subcompact electric crossover won’t come to the US. Peyton also ruled out producing the Aceman at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, citing a lack of supplier support for assembling the model locally. The three-door electric Cooper hatchback isn’t coming to the U.S. for similar reasons. Mini even had plans for an electric convertible, but that’s not happening anymore either.

2025 Mini John Cooper Works Aceman

2025 Mini John Cooper Works Aceman

Photo by: Mini

Still, there’s hope for some interesting additions. Peyton hinted at revisiting the idea of a “true” Mini. Maybe something inspired by the Rocketman concept? That would be neat to see. A larger model slotted above the Countryman is also on the table. He did make it crystal clear that a truck is not on the agenda since there isn’t a market for a Mini pickup. It’s worth noting that the original Mini brand from the pre-BMW era did sell two-door trucks.

What do you think?

View

Comments

Mini isn’t the only BMW Group brand that has set its sights on becoming purely electric. Rolls-Royce still intends to drop the venerable V-12 in the early 2030s. BMW hasn’t set such goals, insisting customers shouldn’t be forced to buy EVs. However, the Group estimates that more than 50 percent of annual shipments by 2030 will be represented by cars without combustion engines. However, it believes it can only happen “if certain conditions are in place at that point, such as a comprehensive charging infrastructure.”

Making EVs account for half of sales won't be easy. In 2024, the share of electric vehicles in total BMW Group (including Mini and Rolls-Royce) shipments was only 17.4 percent. It's a notable jump from the 14.7 percent the year before. 2025 is off to a strong start, with EV sales across the three automotive brands rising by 32.4 percent to 109,516 units in the first quarter. That’s 18.7 percent out of 586,149 cars shipped by BMW, Mini, and Rolls-Royce between January and March.

Other Automakers Have Done The Same:

Volvo Admits Defeat, Won't Go Fully Electric by 2030

Ford: EV Goals Were 'Too Ambitious' In Europe

Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily.

back

Subscribe For more info, read our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use.

Source: Automotive News

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

From Detroit To Tokyo: Where Every Major Automaker Calls Home

Lamborghini Temerario Gets Even Louder With Official Titanium Akrapovič Exhaust

They Spent Eight Years Building A Lancia Stratos. Now They Can Finally Drive It

12 Crossovers That Are Surprisingly Good At Off-Roading

Holy Crap: The Ford Mustang Cobra Is Coming Back