Karlin was able to simply buy the Wuling MINI EV off Alibaba. While some models cost $5,000, he opted for a slightly more premium “Macaron” variant that cost a bit under $8,000.

John Karlin is nothing if not enterprising. He may be a nurse by profession, but he is also an innovator who is not afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to his personal form of transportation.

Karlin drove the Macaron for 12 months before a US company offered to buy the vehicle from him for research. ... John Voelcker. Auto Shanghai 2025 Wasn’t Just a Car Show.