It's possible your issues could have been from poor setup and maintenance. Did the place you bought it from have a real bikeshop? Machine-built wheels need to be gone over by a human,otherwise you can have the spoke issues you reported. Also,the hinges on folders need to be periodically checked/adjusted/lubed or they can also fail.

As for a mini-velo,they're pretty rare in North America. The Soma is long out of production,and the dropout and rear spacing wouldn't be suited to an IGH. The Nano is pretty low end,there's a thread about them over in the Folding forum where owners basically go over the entire bike when they get it and replace things like rim tape to make them rideable. If you want to run an Alfine 11,best best would prolly be to see a Cannondale dealer and get a Hooligan,then have the wheel relaced with that hub.