MINI undergoes its third leadership shift within a year's span
In the ever-evolving world of automotive manufacturing, MINI is making significant strides towards a greener future. The growth in the brand's sales has been driven by the launch of MINI's new all-electric models, marking a crucial step in their push towards electrification.
Jean-Philippe Parain, who has been with BMW Group since 1997, is set to take the helm at MINI. Parain, who has held positions such as President and CEO of BMW Group Belux, Head of MINI Europe, and Head of Sales Region Europe, will become Head of MINI on October 1, 2025. His most recent role has been responsible for the Sales Region covering Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, where MINI and BMW achieved significant growth.
The Neue Klasse models, designed around a rear-mounted motor as standard, could potentially be the platform for MINI's future vehicles. However, it remains unclear whether MINI will eventually move to BMW's Neue Klasse platform.
Stefan Richmann, who oversaw the rollout of the all-new MINI lineup, which includes the 3-Door Hatch in both gasoline and EV versions, the new Countryman with an all-electric option, and the debut of the Aceman, MINI's first EV-only model, is stepping down from his role as Head of MINI. Richmann has been Head of MINI for only a year, but under his leadership, MINI sales climbed around 25% by August 2025 compared to the previous year.
Richmann's next major project will be leading BMW Group Corporate Finance starting from September 2025. It's unclear whether he had time to finalize the next product strategy which should roll-out after 2030.
The departure of Richmann comes after Stefanie Wurst, who led MINI through the launch of its new generation of vehicles, stepped down as brand head of MINI in July 2024 after just two years.
Parain's challenge will be to stabilize MINI's leadership while capitalizing on the momentum of the brand's growth. The future of MINI's current gasoline-powered, front-wheel-drive models, which are built on the FAAR architecture, is uncertain. High-performance MINI Cooper variants have also been introduced as part of the refreshed MINI family.
As MINI continues to evolve, it remains committed to its premium positioning, a factor that Parain will need to consider in his leadership role. The brand's focus on electrification and innovation is set to continue, with exciting times ahead for MINI and its fans.
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