Dealer Nicholas Alexander said North America-made Minis would help lift the brand’s awareness and competitiveness in the U.S.

Alexander, president of Nick Alexander Mini in Los Angeles, said the China-made EVs are “desperately needed here.” But the import tariff “would make those models unsellable here,” he added, noting it would tack nearly $7,000 onto the sticker price.

“China production immediately puts us from having a well-equipped, well-priced, well-loved car into something that’s just out of people’s price range,” Alexander said. “So if they could move that production to North America, I’m all for it.”

Moreover, under the Inflation Reduction Act, a Mini produced south of the border would qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credits available to North American-made vehicles.

“We’d have a huge pricing advantage in Mexico,” Alexander said.