Malaysia-Assembled MINI Countryman Exported To Thailand

Just four months after its local debut in Malaysia, the Malaysia-assembled MINI Countryman is now on sale in Thailand.

Built at the BMW Group Malaysia’s vehicle assembly facility in Kulim, Kedah, which assembles not just BMW and MINI vehicles but also four- and three-cylinder engines, the crossover MINI is exported to Thailand under preferential tariff rates outlined by the ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (AFTA).

Only the 2.0-litre turbocharged Cooper S variant is exported. Prices start from THB 2.299 million but that’s partly because the specifications level is lower than what’s offered to Malaysian buyers.

However Thai buyers have the option of paying THB 200,000 extra for the Touring trim, which adds 19-inch wheels (up from 18-inch), reverse camera, 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and Mini Connected connectivity, all of which are also available on our local Countryman.

Our local Countryman is dressed with JCW aerokit package and gets a different bumper while the Thai model uses a standard bumper.

Previously, the same amount of money only buys a Thai buyer the imported, Dutch-made 1.5-litre turbocharged Cooper Countryman.

The MINI Cooper S Countryman is powered by a 192 hp/280 Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to an 8-speed torque converter automatic transmission driving the front wheels. Malaysia also happens to be the first country to assemble the Countryman outside of the Netherlands, where contract manufacturer VDL Group’s NedCar plant is the mother plant for the Countryman.

In Malaysia, the MINI Cooper S Countryman Sports sells for RM 232,011 excluding insurance. Of course, the price will be revised once more when the 10 percent Sales and Services Tax is reintroduced on 1-September 2018.