* Survey shows 40% of US consumers support Chinese auto

imports

* Political opposition in U.S. remains strong

* Average cost of new autos in the U.S. nears $50,000

By Nora Eckert

DETROIT, March 23 (Reuters) - Sooren Moosavy wants to

buy an affordable electric car in the U.S., motivated by

environmental concerns and a preference for the EV's smoother

ride. But the 28-year-old Baltimore resident's search has

brought him to a trio of vehicles that are essentially

unavailable - because they're from Chinese automakers.

"I would love the opportunity to be able to get one in or

even test-drive one," said Moosavy, who has narrowed his wish

list to three models from BYD, Geely and

Zeekr, attracted to their compactness, plush interiors, and

above all, the price.

Moosavy isn't alone. As the average price of a new car in the

U.S. approaches $50,000, more of the car-buying public is open

to buying cheaper Chinese cars, despite resistance from the

industry and both major U.S. political parties. While Chinese

autos hit the highways of Europe, Latin America and even Canada,

the U.S. government has effectively banned the cars with tariffs

exceeding 100%, out of concerns over data security and

protecting American jobs.

In places like Europe, a number of Chinese EVs sell at

prices under $30,000. Some of those cars include amenities like

advanced driving assistance software, a built-in mini fridge,

and the option to sing karaoke with your fellow passengers.

"The technology they offer for those lower price tags was

astounding," said Clint Simone, senior features editor for

car-shopping website Edmunds, who drove several Chinese vehicles

while at the CES trade show earlier this year.

CHINA'S EXPORT SURGE

China has surged past Japan in recent years to become the

world's top vehicle exporter. Canada became the latest country

to open its doors to the cars, agreeing to cut tariffs to 6.1%

on an initial allowance of 49,000 Chinese EVs annually. The cars

are already being exported en masse to Mexico, where Chinese

automakers are eyeing factory space.

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated during an appearance in

Detroit in January that he's receptive to Chinese automakers

opening stateside, as long as they employ U.S. workers.

But earlier this month, major auto trade groups submitted a

letter urging the U.S. government to keep ​Chinese carmakers out

of the country, citing competitiveness concerns. Republican

Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio said in January at an event at a

Ford Motor plant that "as long as I have air in my body, there

will not be Chinese vehicles sold in the United States of

America."

China's embassy in Washington has rejected the automakers'

criticism, saying Chinese-made cars are popular ​because of

their quality and technological innovation.

THE CURIOUS U.S. CONSUMER

Consumers have some concerns over allowing Chinese car

imports, though, including over data security and protecting

U.S. businesses, survey results from The Harris Poll as well as

Cox show.

Rhett Ricart, an Ohio car dealer who sells several brands,

including Ford, Chevrolet and Hyundai, said he has no doubt

customers would snap up Chinese models if they became available.

He and other dealers don't want that to happen yet,

according to a recent Cox Automotive survey, which found that

just 15% of dealers supported the entry of Chinese auto brands

into the U.S., and just 26% trust that they would comply with

U.S. safety standards.

Not meeting U.S. safety standards is one reason Chinese EVs

cannot yet be owned permanently in the U.S.

But those obstacles haven't quieted the buzz. The Cox survey

polled 802 U.S. consumers who expect to buy a car in the next

two years. Nearly half - 49% - rated Chinese cars as having very

good or excellent value, and 40% say they support the idea of

Chinese auto brands in the U.S. market.

Rich Benoit, a car enthusiast whose YouTube videos reviewing

Chinese models garner millions of views, said the most

compelling feature is the price. "That's what a lot of people

are looking for: efficient, quiet and low cost," he said. "They

want to get to work - not everyone is a car enthusiast."

He's considering buying a BYD model in Mexico and driving it

across the border.

"That's the only way to get one," Benoit said. "They've been

selling in Mexico for years... I want to own a Chinese EV in

America."