BMW Group is in advanced talks with the European Commission to replace import tariffs on its Chinese-made electric MINI models with a minimum pricing agreement, Handelsblatt reported on Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the matter.
The negotiations concern the fully electric MINI Aceman crossover and Cooper hatchback, which are manufactured in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, by Spotlight Automotive — a joint venture between BMW and Great Wall Motor.
The two models currently face a 21.3% surcharge on top of the EU’s 10% base tariff on vehicles imported from China, bringing the combined duty to 31.3%.
A minimum price agreement would replace that combined levy — a significant cost reduction for BMW, whose rate exceeds those applied to BYD (27.0%) and Tesla (17.8%).
The two people close to the talks told Handelsblatt that discussions between Munich and Brussels are “good and already very advanced,” with both parties expressing interest in “finding a solution.”
When reached out to by the publication, BMW declined to comment.
MINI Sales
The brand delivered a record 105,535 battery electric vehicles globally in 2025, nearly doubling the prior year’s figure and representing more than a third of MINI’s total sales of 288,290 vehicles.
In China, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Sweden, more than half of all MINIs sold were fully electric.
In Germany specifically, Handelsblatt noted that the MINI Aceman and Cooper are among the best-selling electric cars, ranking eighth in new EV registrations in January according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
The agency does not separate figures between the two models.
EV Tariffs
Back in October 2024, the EU imposed additional tariffs on Chinese battery electric vehicles (BEV), with rates currently ranging from 7.8% to 35.3% depending on the brand, excluding the 10% base tariff.
However, hybrid vehicles — including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) — are exempt, which has led to a surge in imports of these from China.
In January 2025, several automakers, including BMW, filed a legal challenge against the duties at the European Court of Justice.
According to Handelsblatt, the case is expected to be heard by mid-year, though BMW is “optimistic” about reaching an agreement before a ruling.
According to Handelsblatt, sources say the company’s suit is “likely to be heard by mid-year”, though they remain “optimistic” about settling an agreement beforehand.
Minimum Price Agreements
Last January, the European Commission published guidelines outlining how automakers can replace the EV tariffs with minimum pricing agreements.
The first European manufacturer to reach this kind of consensus was Volkswagen.
It led to the lifting of the import tariffs applied to the fully electric Cupra Tavascan SUV from its Chinese division (Anhui).
The model was previously subject to a 20.7% tariff, on top of the aforementioned 10% duty.
To avoid these levies, however, Seat — Cupra Tavascan’s importer — must meet a minimum price threshold, maintain a fixed annual quota, among other requisites.
Following this, several Chinese representatives criticized the European Commission for providing limited information and negotiating individually with automakers.
A few days later, China’s Ministry of Commerce confirmed that multiple Chinese companies are expected to sign pricing agreements with the EU.
Group’s European Sales
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), BMW Group — which includes the main brand, MINI and Rolls-Royce — registered 66,191 vehicles in January across Europe.
The figures represented a 5.7% decline compared to January 2025.
While the BMW brand’s sales fell year over year by 8.7% to 54,574 units, MINI saw last month’s registrations rise 11.2% to 11,617.
ACEA did not provide specific data for the Rolls-Royce marque.
In its report, Handelsblatt highlighted that the MINI Aceman and Cooper are “among the best-selling electric cars in Germany.”
The publication cited data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to show that the EV models ranked eighth in terms of new registrations in January, noting that the organization does not separate figures between the two units.
