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 electric 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 in 2011, 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 local audiences 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.

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