It’s, to place it politely, a bit curious that Mini automobiles are nonetheless bought on American shores, difficult as they as soon as had been, and interesting to a demographic — European curious, curious about non-luxury “small” automobiles, not curious about large vehicles — that appears ever shrinking in America. Besides, perhaps, relating to EVs within the subsequent decade, as a result of a cost-conscious, small, and kind of trendy EV that doesn’t attempt to do an excessive amount of could possibly be a promote sometime, as a result of nobody else is absolutely making an attempt it. BMW already did a bit of bit, even, with the i3, however that was too bizarre to be for many individuals past Californians.

Which brings us to an merchandise at present in Automotive Information, which says that Mini could be pushing on by contemplating constructing some EVs in Mexico, the place BMW — proprietor of Mini — already makes 2 and three Sequence. These automobiles are going all-electric, and thus Mexico may additionally be a pure place to construct a Mini EV. Such a transfer may place mentioned Mini EV to be eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit score.

A Mini electrical crossover may go into manufacturing at BMW’s central Mexico manufacturing unit within the second half of the last decade, sources briefed on the plans instructed Automotive Information.

The $1 billion plant in San Luis Potosi produces BMW’s 2 and three Sequence sedans and can construct the next-generation 3 Sequence electrical sedan and iX3 electrical crossover. One of many sources, who requested to not be recognized, mentioned that the brand new Mini mannequin will share the identical platform as the three Sequence EV and its crossover sibling.

It’s unclear how far alongside Mini is in its decision-making relating to North American manufacturing. A spokesperson declined to remark.

That is, considerably predictably, music to the ears of Mini sellers within the U.S., who’re at present promoting a product that appeared fairly wise on these shores a decade in the past however these days is wildly out of step with market tendencies. An EV Mini that could possibly be had right here with the $7,500 tax credit score? Now we’re speaking. Perhaps.

Vendor Nicholas Alexander mentioned North America-made Minis would assist raise the model’s consciousness and competitiveness within the U.S.

Alexander, president of Nick Alexander Mini in Los Angeles, mentioned the China-made EVs are “desperately wanted right here.” However the import tariff “would make these fashions unsellable right here,” he added, noting it will tack practically $7,000 onto the sticker value.

“China manufacturing instantly places us from having a well-equipped, well-priced, well-loved automotive into one thing that’s simply out of individuals’s value vary,” Alexander mentioned. “So if they may transfer that manufacturing to North America, I’m all for it.”

Mini is, extra so than different automakers, a bit handicapped by its very identify, at the same time as they’re apparently engaged on larger Minis, automobiles which can be nonetheless Mini however not mini, nor are they maxi. I believe that Mini can be round right here so long as the three Sequence, in any case, which is to say presumably endlessly, except BMW offers up. Till then, the extra the merrier.