(Yicai Global) Nov. 16 -- Meta System S.p.A., a European automobile parts company acquired by Shenzhen Deren Electronic Co. [SHE: 002055], has become the exclusive global supplier of on-board chargers for Mini Cooper, one of BMW's well-known car brands.

The charger is Meta's core product in the field of new energy vehicles. The Mini series has been upgraded and optimized based on the existing technology platform of BMW i3 on-board charger under mass production, Deren Electronics said yesterday.

The exclusive supplier qualification is for the second on-board charger product Meta provided for the company following BMW i3 on-board charger, further shoring up Meta's core supplier position in the field of BMW electric vehicles.

In 2015, Deren Electronics acquired 60 percent stakes in Meta for 56.82 million euros (USD67 million), and the latter is a key supplier to mid-to-high end auto manufacturers in Europe such as Bayerische Motoren Werke AG [ETR:BMW] (BMW), Daimler-Benz AG [ETR:DAI] and Volkswagen AG [ETR:VOW].

Mini is expanding into the field of new energy vehicles. The first Mini Cooper battery electric vehicles are expected to be introduced next year and a new type of electric vehicles will be rolled out in 2019, Mini announced last May.