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China’s Great Wall looking to partner with BMW to sell cars in the West

The Chinese automaker Great Wall seems to have moved on from courting Fiat Chrysler. According to Reuters, the company announced in a stock exchange filing that it's looking to collaborate with BMW's Mini brand in some way. Reuters also reports that BMW is open to discussion. We reached out to a BMW representative, and he provided us with an official statement regarding the news. The company didn't specifically say it is talking with Great Wall. What it did say is that it has had success with its current partnership with another Chinese automaker Brilliance, but also that the company is interested in expanding the Mini brand worldwide and in China. The statement says that Mini's future strategy and expansion will include "diversification of partnerships and new cooperation models." It also said that expanding in China "is only possible with a local partner." That sounds to us like BMW is pretty interested in working with Great Wall. This move comes about a month and a half after Great Wall attempted to purchase parts of Fiat Chrysler. The company was reported to be talking to FCA to purchase the Jeep brand, and it later confirmed that it was interested in that brand, a few, or the whole company. But things seemed to fall apart when Fiat Chrysler's CEO Sergio Marchionne announced it hadn't received any offers and wasn't working on any kind of deal with another company. Now it may seem a little odd that Great Wall would shift from trying to buy an SUV brand, or a company that is beginning to concentrate on crossovers and trucks, to one that specializes in compact cars. After all, they're fairly different segments. Our theory is that Great Wall isn't necessarily interested in the specific products, but more that it's looking for a gateway to Western car markets. It's not something new for the company. As far back as 2013, the company made it clear it was looking to start selling cars in America. It also started looking into a manufacturing facility in Mexico earlier this year, which would supposedly supply vehicles to both Mexico and the U.S. Now when Great Wall announced its American sales intentions, it was targeting a date of 2015. That obviously didn't happen, and it probably has something to do with the company's products. Most of the cars under the Great Wall and Haval brands bear an uncanny appearance to discontinued models from other companies that compete in the West.

Enter to win a 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric and $10,000 cash

Autoblog may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Pricing and availability is subject to change. No donation or payment necessary to enter or win this sweepstakes. See official rules on Omaze. Enter to win this giveaway or any other Omaze experience between now and December 31, 2020, and receive 150 bonus entries with Autoblog’s exclusive code AUTOBLOG150. Simply add the discount at checkout. There are some incredible cars on Omaze, including Broncos and 911s converted to electric, Range Rover Sport SVRs that can hit 150 mph and ford a river (not at the same time of course), and camper vans that allow you to live wherever youÂ’d like. While it would be incredible to win any of those vehicles, it's probably best that you actually consider them dream cars. And that you have the extra garage space. By contrast, an electric Mini Cooper SE is a practical car you can drive day in and day out, while saving the dollars in your bank account for that project that really is your dream car. Win a 2020 MINI Cooper SE Electric and $10,000 - Enter at Omaze Plus, not only does this prize come with the car, it also comes with $10,000 cash to spend however youÂ’d like. I donÂ’t know about you but that would be a nice down payment on my dream rig (a 70 Series Land Cruiser if anyone is wondering). Taxes and shipping costs are also covered. And of course because itÂ’s on Omaze, your entries will go toward helping a great organization, specifically, Feeding America. “(It) is the nationÂ’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization. Their network of food banks, pantries and meal programs serve virtually every community in the United States, reaching 40 million people (including 12 million children and 7 million seniors). Feeding America works to get nourishing food — from farmers, manufacturers, and retailers — to people in need. They also seek to help the people they serve build a path to a brighter, food-secure future. Your generosity will help Feeding America continue to connect people with food and work to end hunger.” If youÂ’d like this two-door EV in your garage, enter this drawing quickly, as the deadline to enter is Nov. 17, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Enter to win this giveaway or any other Omaze experience between now and December 31, 2020, and receive 150 bonus entries with AutoblogÂ’s exclusive code AUTOBLOG150. Simply add the discount at checkout. MINI Commerce deals

JCW Tuning Kit comes to Mini Countryman and Clubman

Mini devoted one line in the middle of its SEMA press release to the limited-edition Ice Blue Cooper S Hardtop on show at SEMA. We'll give it a few more lines: the Ice Blue hue hasn't been available since 2013, and Mini's being coy about how long the color will hang around. Available on two-door Cooper models, the Ice Blue package adds optional features beyond color, like custom wheel caps and Mini Connected, and adds a few thousand dollars to the MSRP depending on which Cooper you start with. Ready for the big Mini news? The John Cooper Works Tuning Kit will soon be available for Cooper S and Cooper S ALL4 Countryman and Clubman; before now, the kit could only be had for the Cooper S hardtop and convertible. The kit juices horsepower up to 208 hp from 189 hp, and throws in another 14 pound-feet of torque to top out at 221 lb-ft. The stainless-steel exhaust reduces exhaust gas back pressure, and can be controlled via Bluetooth for Sport or Sport+ auditory response. Sport, we're told, is safe for any road, while Sport+ makes a track-only kind of cacophony. The back-end growl gets piped through either chrome or carbon fiber tailpipes. The JCW Tuning Kit goes on sale in January 2018 for $1,950, and can be installed at any Mini dealer. Related Video: Featured Gallery Mini Ice Blue Cooper S Hardtop View 10 Photos Related Gallery Mini John Cooper Works Tuning Kit Aftermarket SEMA Show MINI Coupe Performance mini clubman mini cooper s jcw