• This marks the second recall of Mini electric vehicles this year due to battery issues.Some vehicles may experience excessive self-discharge due to production defects in the power batteries.

Spotlight Automotive, BMW's joint venture in China, has recalled a small number of locally produced Mini electric vehicles (EVs) due to battery issues -- the second such recall this year.

Spotlight -- a 50:50 joint venture between BMW and GWM (HKG: 2333) -- is recalling a total of 7 locally produced Mini EVs effective immediately, according to an announcement today on China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) website.

This includes 4 Mini Cooper models produced between June 1, 2024, and July 16, 2024, and 3 Mini Aceman models produced between July 9, 2024, and August 1, 2024.

For some vehicles within the recall scope, issues in the power battery production process may have resulted in some battery cells exhibiting bipolar plate defects, potentially causing excessive self-discharge.

In extreme cases, this could cause the power battery to overheat, posing a safety risk, according to the announcement.

Spotlight will replace the affected power battery modules free of charge for the recalled vehicles to eliminate the safety hazard.

Founded in December 2019, Spotlight has its headquarters and vehicle production base in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, eastern China.

It is BMW's first pure-electric vehicle joint venture globally, with an annual production capacity of 160,000 units.

Currently available Mini pure electric models include the Mini Cooper, Mini Aceman, Mini JCW, and Mini JCW Aceman.

The recall marks the second one this year for electric Minis due to battery issues.

In late May, Spotlight recalled 70 locally produced Mini EVs for similar problems.