Why can't you lease an SE in the US?

In 2002, Los Angeles wouldn't let the filmmakers of the remake of "The Italian Job" drive ICE MINI Coopers through their underground subway corridors. I read that electric MINIs were built for that scene and then the engine noises were dubbed in during post-production. I thought how great it would be if MINI made an electric version.

Then MINI leased limited-edition 2009 MINI-E cars to people. I thought how great it will be when they turn that prototype into a mass-production car. Nope. It became the BMW i3.

Then, in 2018, the rumors of a mass-production MINI Cooper began to surface. Pre-production prototypes were spotted. Then, July 19, 2019, MINI announced the MINI Cooper SE. I was not taken by surprise and placed my order as soon as my local dealer would let me. Sadly, my SE became the last new MINI Cooper my dealer sold before going out of business.