The next Corsa has been delayed and is likely to be based on the forthcoming baby Peugeot/ Citroen models.
It could be the first model produced under the new PSA ownership of Vauxhall and Opel in 2020.
The MINI does not have to be built in Britain to make it a success, said boss Peter Schwarzenbauer.
He was speaking at the Geneva motor show and said a decision on the site for the MINI EV would be made this year with UK, Netherlands or another location being chosen.
More VW staff will be disciplined over the US emissions scandal, says Reuters.
The car maker will on Friday admit it acted illegally and once that case is decided it will be individuals who will be facing action.
Investment in EVs and autonomous cars is sapping funds at BMW.
The Bavarian car maker is not making show-stopping models for now but will simply upgrade existing models.
BMW of North America is recalling almost 300 2017 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive and M4 vehicles and Rolls-Royce Dawn vehicles.
The affected vehicles have seat-mounted side air bag inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.