At first, it seemed that BMW didn’t really bother to join in the mad scamper for hybrids and electric vehicles. But first impressions didn’t last at all with BMW’s announcement that they will be creating 500 electric MINIs which will be made available to the US market specifically to California (no surprise since California is one state that requires automakers to make EVs available per fleet).

Still, these MINIs will go a long way - to be built in Oxford, UK (where the MINI factory is located). These will then make a trip to Germany so that BMW will be able to slap on their electric powertrains. No performance figures yet but it will have a silver body and yellow roof.

It’s interesting what automakers will do just to appease legislation. California is surely a market that any automaker would hate to lose holds of with Hollywood being there and all. An indirect celebrity endorsement goes a long way especially for green cars. See what Leo and Cameron did to the Prius?

Source: Automotive News (Subscription required)