BMW in talks with EU on tariff exemption for 'Made in China' Minis, Handelsblatt reports

BERLIN, Feb 25 (Reuters) - BMW and the European Commission are in talks about a ‌possible minimum pricing model that could ‌replace EU tariffs on the German carmaker's Chinese-made Mini electric ​vehicles, Germany's Handelsblatt business daily reported on Tuesday.

This follows an agreement struck between Brussels and Volkswagen earlier in February, under which the group's ‌SEAT/Cupra brand secured ⁠a tariff exemption for its all-electric Tavascan SUV coupe following months of ⁠discussions.

Similar deals could follow, with Chinese carmakers also thought to be eyeing exemptions for their ​EU-bound EVs.

BMW ​and Brussels are negotiating ​a solution involving ‌a minimum import price, Handelsblatt reported, citing two people familiar with the matter.

A BMW spokesperson declined to comment on the report.

The European Commission had no immediate comment.

BMW is separately challenging the ‌EU tariffs in a ​legal case with other carmakers.

The ​EU imposed tariffs ​on China-made EVs at the end ‌of October 2024 after ​an anti-subsidy ​investigation. The rate for BMW, which manufactures the electric Mini Cooper and electric Mini ​Aceman in China, ‌is 20.7%.

(Additional reporting by Philip Blenkinsop ​in BrusselsReporting by Rachel More and Christina ​AmannEditing by Madeline Chambers)