Light Beam Auto is a joint venture between BMW and Great Wall Motors, which reached a cooperation agreement as early as 2018 with a 50:50 equity ratio.

The primary purpose of establishing Light Beam Auto is to produce electric MINIs.

Looking at the timeline, BMW and Great Wall's cooperation intentions were not late, considering the domestic new energy vehicle market was just starting in 2018. However, due to various factors, it wasn't until the second half of this year that the electric MINI produced by BMW and Great Wall was officially launched in China.

On August 27th, the MINI brand's second pure electric vehicle, the electric MINI ACEMAN, was officially launched, positioned as a small pure electric SUV. This vehicle can also be seen as a five-door version of the electric MINI COOPER, with a high degree of similarity in exterior design. However, the electric MINI ACEMAN excels in body dimensions and wheelbase, measuring 4076/1754/1515 mm in length, width, and height, respectively, with a wheelbase of 2606 mm.

Although the new vehicle is jointly produced by BMW and Great Wall, it still bears the BMW MINI logo and has not established a separate brand. Only the letters "Light Beam Auto" are identified at the rear of the vehicle.

Therefore, strictly speaking, the two electric MINI models currently launched by Light Beam Auto still belong to the category of imported vehicles. Consequently, they are not included in the sales figures released by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA).

However, based on the official price and configuration information, it is highly likely that this vehicle will not sell well in China.

Firstly, regarding the price, the electric MINI ACEMAN is offered in four models with a price range of 209,900 to 279,900 yuan. It's important to note that this is just a small pure electric SUV, with a starting price exceeding 200,000 yuan.

Crucially, it still bears the BMW MINI logo.

In terms of configuration, all models come standard with a 9.4-inch central control screen. The entry-level model, with an official guidance price of 209,900 yuan, is equipped with knitted seats. The low-end and mid-range models lack even basic features such as electric seat adjustment, electric sunroof, and heated and folding exterior mirrors.

Moreover, all models come standard with a reverse camera and cruise control. Only the top-end and second-tier models can be optionally equipped with a 360-degree panoramic camera and L2-level advanced driver assistance systems.

The only notable features in the top-end and second-tier models are facial recognition, heated and massaging seats.

In terms of power, the new vehicle is equipped with a front-mounted single motor and a ternary lithium battery from Svolte Energy, offering two versions with NEDC ranges of 450 km and 445 km.

The 450 km range model has a maximum power of 135 kW, a maximum torque of 290 Nm, and a top speed of 160 km/h. The 445 km range model has a maximum power of 160 kW, a maximum torque of 330 Nm, and a top speed of 170 km/h.

With such specifications and power, the electric MINI ACEMAN cannot compete with domestic electric SUVs of the same class, such as BYD Yuan PLUS or Geely Smart EV, let alone the Mercedes-Benz smart #1.

Given the fiercely competitive new energy vehicle market in China, and considering the price and configuration of the electric MINI ACEMAN, Light Beam Auto, which has arrived late to the game, faces a bleak outlook for survival.

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