Mini is drastically lowering the price of its electric Coopers. The Cooper SE is now at the price of a Renault 5. But this simply results from the move to the agent contract.
In France, Mini dealers are adopting the “Tesla” method. Namely the famous agency contract, which no longer gives distributors the freedom to freely negotiate prices with the customer. From now on, list prices are fixed and not debatable. But to adapt to a market that changes very quickly and to the absence of bonuses on cars produced in China (while waiting for English production…), Mini is slashing the prices of its electric Coopers. And the discounts are so substantial that they allow the most “British” of current cars to position themselves as a threat to a certain French diamond which is arriving in dealerships next week.
More expensive, but less discount?
Since October 1, the French Mini network has therefore switched to an agent contract with all that this implies: less freedom and control for dealers who become “simple” representatives of the brand without control over prices. “We are certain of the success of the model and the acceptance of customers, including in Latin countries such as Italy. Customers are satisfied with no longer having to negotiate the price”announced Vincent Salimon, president of the BMW group in France.
To compensate for the impossibility of negotiating on Mini vehicles, the English brand has decided to automatically apply discounts on the original pricessupposed to be equivalent to what customers could obtain at the dealership after discussion. The price reductions affect both thermal and electric versions. The Cooper C now starts at €28,050 and the Cooper S at €31,400.
But the biggest offensive is taking place among the electrics. Now, the Mini Cooper E starts at €30,650. The Mini is not entitled to the bonus but its price remains attractive, especially compared to a Fiat 500e in free fall (the production stoppage has been extended) and a Renault 5 which has just been launched . At this price, it is right between an R5 Techno and an R5 Iconic. But the Mini has a lower range with its 36.8 kWh (184 hp). To take a step forward, you will have to turn to the Cooper SE (218 hp), this time starting at €34,450 (- €3,550). It’s obviously an extra ticket compared to an R5 but as more and more French people turn to leasing, there could be surprises with a Mini which could lose its value less than an R5…
The Countryman, too!
With the agent contract affecting all models, the Countryman is also affected by the price drops. The Countryman range now extends from €39,150 in Essential finish with 204 hp engine and 462 km of range to €44,150 for the four-wheel drive variant 313 hp (432 km range). And let’s not forget that the Countryman is entitled to the bonus! This therefore gives us a first price of €34,150. Electric trolleys are generally not the most efficient in terms of autonomy, but the big discounts will probably reshuffle certain cards for customers who appreciate the always quirky side of these models but who could be put off by the price/autonomy ratio.
Compare the real ranges of the best electric cars according to our standardized measurement cycle. Battery capacity, consumption, autonomy, we tell you everything!
Automotive journalist (and a bit of a bicycle journalist too). As passionate about new things as industry or the environment, but also everything that will advance mobility.
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Published on 04/10/2024 at 12:00
