BMW South Africa (BMW SA) says it will conduct a local trial study of the Mini E during the first quarter of 2012, with the intention of launching the elec- tric vehicle “locally at a later stage”.

This announcement comes as Mini, a BMW brand, last year enjoyed its best-ever sales year in South Africa, with 2 584 units sold, which is a 42.4% increase compared with 2010.

BMW sales were up 10.4%, at 23 903 units.

Sales of Rolls-Royce vehicles, another BMW badge, were down 25% to 21 units.

Apart from the Mini E study, BMW SA plans to unveil the new South African-made 3 Series to the local market in March.

“I’m positive that the new car will have a significant impact on our sales successes in 2012 and beyond,” says BMW SA MD Bodo Donauer.

He adds that several other new-vehicle launches should stand the BMW group in good stead in the coming year.

The new BMW M5, further derivatives of the new BMW 1 Series hatch, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, the Mini Roadster and the company’s first locally sold hybrid model, the BMW 5 Series ActiveHybrid, are all set for local introduction in the coming months.

To subscribe to Engineering News's print magazine email subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za or buy now.