The all-electric MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS and MINI JOHN COOPER WORKS ACEMAN made their stunning debut on April 14, marking the electrified premiere of MINI's high-performance lineup and setting a new milestone in the global new energy vehicle (NEV) market.
The all-electric MINI JCW models. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
The launch stems from a long-standing partnership in 2018 when Spotlight Automotive — combining BMW's century-long expertise with Great Wall Motors' local innovation — settled in Zhangjiagang. By 2024, vehicles from this joint venture are being shipped worldwide. As BMW Group's global production base for the new-generation electric MINI, the Zhangjiagang plant now produces several core MINI models in volume for customers in more than 90 countries and regions.
At the Spotlight Automotive plant, a new car rolls off the line every 84 seconds, contributing daily output worth 67 million yuan ($9.16 million). Behind this pace is a highly intelligent manufacturing system. Recognized as a Jiangsu provincial smart manufacturing factory, the plant ranks among BMW's most digitally advanced production sites worldwide.
Inside the Spotlight Automotive plant in Zhangjiagang. [Photo/WeChat account: zhangjiagangfabu365]
Strategically located at the crossroads of the Yangtze River Economic Belt and the Yangtze River Delta integration initiative, Zhangjiagang offers an ideal environment for developing a robust automotive supply chain.
The city has attracted industry leaders, including Great Wall Motors, ZF, JATCO, and Magna, forming a strong industrial cluster. Currently, Zhangjiagang is home to over 100 auto parts manufacturers and more than 60 automotive enterprises above designated size.
Last year, the city's automotive industry saw a 56 percent increase in output, driving a 17 percent rise in intelligent equipment manufacturing and helping the sector surpass 100 billion yuan in total industrial output.
Zhangjiagang is also spearheading the development of a trillion-yuan-level new energy cluster powered by lithium batteries, hydrogen energy, and photovoltaics. In addition to its all-electric strategy, the city focuses on developing hydrogen technologies, with over 40 enterprises contributing to an annual output exceeding 10 billion yuan. Zhangjiagang leads the nation in deploying hydrogen-powered port trucks and shared hydrogen bikes.