Tag Archives: Mini

BMW sales results in nine months of 2023

After most of the world’s car manufacturers announced their sales results for the first nine months of 2023, many of them recorded sales growth, including BMW. This Bavarian giant has sold 1.62 million cars worldwide, surpassing its competitors Mercedes and Audi.

According to the BMW Group report, in the third quarter of this year, BMW sold 621,699 vehicles worldwide, an increase of 5.7 percent compared to the same period in 2022. The closest competitor was Mercedes, which delivered 1.52 million cars since the beginning of the year, with sales growth of 2 percent. Although Audi recorded a sales growth of 16.2% compared to 2022, it was not enough to threaten the position of these two companies. In nine months of this year, Audi sold 1.38 million cars worldwide.

BMW sold 217,138 battery cars on the global market, of which 83,211 were BEVs. Mercedes-Benz delivered 174,471 electric cars, while Audi sold 123,000 vehicles in the same period.

When it comes to the BMW Group (BMW and Mini BEV and PHEV cars), in 3Q BMW delivered a total of 139,943 units, which is a growth of 42%, with a 22.5% market share. The highest demand was for BEV cars (93,931) which recorded an increase of 80 percent, while 46,012 PHEV cars were delivered, a decrease of 1 percent. Since January, the Bavarian company has delivered a total of 385,411 cars (up 36%), of which BEVs 246,867 units (up 93%) and PHEVs 138,544 units (down 11%).

Source: BMW

2024 Mini Countryman JCW

Two months ago Mini presented the all-electric Mini Countryman and Mini Cooper Electric, now the British automaker has premiered the most powerful version of this model powered by ICE, the Mini Countryman JCW.

Under the hood is a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine with 316 hp (236 kW), paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all wheels. That’s 10 hp more than its predecessor, but also enough to push the car to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). It’s mounted on a set of new two-tone 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels.

This car is Mini’s biggest model to date. It is 13 centimeters longer and 8 centimeters higher than its predecessor. It is equipped with an advanced adaptive drive system (ALL4), red brake calipers and large brake discs that enable safe stopping.

Inside, the interior of the car is decorated with sports seats, a centrally placed OLED display with an incorporated multimedia system, compatible with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay applications, buttons under the display and Mini Experience.

Mini announced that deliveries will begin in mid-2024.

Source: Mini

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BMW terminates contract with VDL causing 2,000 job losses

The global car market is in crisis, although some companies are recording positive sales results. Many companies try to reduce costs by laying off workers or shutting down production in some factories, this primarily applies to large European manufacturers such as BMW, which terminated the contract with the Dutch VDL Nedcar (part of VDL Groep) causing the loss of 2,000 jobs.

VDL factory in the Netherlands

The VDL Nedcar factory started production in 1967 and since then has produced cars for Volvo, Smart, Mitsubishi, BMW and Mini. It is the only large car factory in the Netherlands with an annual production capacity of up to 200,000 cars. However, now due to the loss of the contract with BMW, which also includes the assembly of some Mini cars, they are forced to gradually lay off most of the workforce.

CEO of VDL Nedcar John van Soerland said that the company is currently in a difficult situation but will make an extra effort to attract new customers. From March 2024, Nedcar will retain only 450 employees to work on prototypes for potential new customers and finalize contractual obligations with BMW.

“We remain fully committed to making VDL Nedcar stronger in the future,” said van Soerland.

Source: VDL Nedcar