‘We desire to leave the smallest footprint possible’ --[Reported by Umva mag]

Mini Asia Head Daren Ching talks electrification, and staying true to the brand

Interview by Kap Maceda Aguila

VELOCITY: Why bring in the electric Minis now? What do you see in the market?

DAREN CHING: We see that the Philippines has a big Mini fanbase, and we want to focus on that by bringing in what we call at the BMW Group the power of choice with the new generation. We’re offering them a choice between international combustion and electric. But we think the future is a little bit more electric. It will not be totally electric yet, but we’re heading in that direction.

In the Philippines, (we’re seeing) government incentives as well, a little bit. EV (adoption) is definitely growing in the market. It’s a natural progression not just in the Philippines but throughout the whole of Southeast Asia and Asia, broadly. Especially in the Philippines, we need to be represented as Mini, as the future of Mini is headed to a selected direction. So, we don’t just bring in the combustion engines. We’ve been waiting for this for a long time anyway. Countryman, Cooper, the previous models were getting long in the tooth, eight years old. Now is the time.

How does the company preserve the distinct Mini flavor in the electrified variants?

We still maintain that go-kart feel. A Mini will always be a Mini, especially when we’re talking about the Cooper. If you look at the design of the car, it does not stray far from its roots: Four wheels pushed to the corners, round headlights, round central instrument display. A lot of people say that the size has grown, but people have grown as well. I don’t expect people nowadays to fit in the classic Mini anymore. It has expanded with the times, grown slightly larger, but still smaller than a lot of cars out there. It will always be a Mini, and drive like a go-kart on the streets.

There are a lot of tactile changes in the new Mini through the use of surprising, unconventional materials. Can you talk about these in the context of the brand’s sustainability goals?

This is the biggest differentiating point in the new generation of Minis: the sustainability aspect. At Mini, we desire to leave the smallest footprint possible, not just in terms of manufacturing or CO₂ emissions, but also in the way that we build our cars. If you notice, the new-generation Mini contains zero leather. What you think is leather is not actually leather but Vescin (a synthetic leather material). We’ve replaced parts that were traditionally wrapped in leather like the dashboard and steering wheel with Vescin. Meanwhile, the dashboard is made up of 90% recycled polyester from ocean waste. That’s one way we reflect sustainability in our cars.

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.