Mini-Cooper & Ford Focus shift production to China

Rupert Reid Sino.ukPublished: 2017-10-16
BMW, the owners of the iconic Mini brand, are in discussions to start production in China.
That's according to multiple media reports over the last few days, claiming that China's Great Wall will partner with BMW for the project.

A Mini electric concept vehicle sits on stage during the first media preview day of the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany, Sept. 12, 2017. [Photo: VCG]
If it comes to fruition, then Great Wall could end-up producing the first ever electric version of the Mini on behalf of BMW.
This would work ideally in the Chinese market, where great efforts are being made to replace traditional cars with clean energy vehicles in the future.
However, the news is seen as being particularly bad for the UK, where the majority of Minis are currently produced.
Uncertainty over Brexit is causing concern amongst the many car firms that currently manufacture in the British Isles, and the move by BMW to start production in China could well be interpreted as further proof of this.
Regardless of Brexit, however, BMW is not the only car maker to be considering moving production to China.
In June, we reported that Ford is planning a similar move with its Focus model.
At present, the model is made in China, Germany and the USA. We understand that once the changes are made, Chinese production will be ramped-up and US manufacture of the Focus will cease.
The move follows the abandonment of Ford's plans to open a Focus production line in Mexico - a plan that was publicly condemned by US President Donald Trump.

 

Maybe the Focus plant in China is for the Asian market.

 

Wages are too high. That's a touchy subject, but it's true. Most of the little suppliers and even the janitors are unionized and demand wages that are too high for what they do. By the time all that is added to the price of a car, the price is ridiculous. That's why I buy used cars after someone else has taken the huge financial hit at the new car dealership. Did you see the new Ford pickup truck base price of $80,000.00 for their special edition?