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Nissan Leaf Electric Car Reservations to Begin in the US in Spring 2010
Nissan North America Targets 20,000 Reservations by Launch
Near End of 2010; Will Expand Production to U.S. in 2012
In response to strong initial demand for the Nissan LEAF
zero-emission electric car, Nissan North America, Inc. announced
it will begin taking reservations for LEAF in spring 2010.
Nearly 22,000 people in North America have contacted Nissan
since the company unveiled the car in August.
The groundswell of interest, especially from people in our
initial launch markets, demonstrates to us the importance of a
reservation system, said Carlos Tavares, head of Nissans
operations in North, Central and South America. Our goal is to
confirm at least 20,000 reservations for Nissan LEAF by the time
we deliver the worlds first mass-market zero-emission car in
late 2010.
Nissan will invite people to opt-in and receive updates and
information about LEAF through a reservation system that will
tell them when the electric car is available either for test
drives or to take home. Participants will receive the latest
news about the companys zero-emission activities as well as
information about Nissan LEAF and how to become plug-in ready.
Well continue to reach out to this enthusiastic and rapidly
growing group as we approach launch, said Tavares.
About 70 percent of the people in North America who have
contacted Nissan about LEAF reside in markets where the
all-electric zero-emission car first will be brought to market.
Of those who have contacted Nissan, about half report that they
want to obtain LEAF as soon as its available, and another 45
percent indicate interest in owning an electric vehicle within
the next two to three years. Metro areas with the strongest
consumer responses are San Diego, Calif.; Tucson, Ariz.;
Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Los Angeles all of which are
among the first markets where LEAF will be available globally.
More than 90 percent of the people who have contacted Nissan
indicate that they drive less than 100 miles daily, which is the
range of LEAF when fully charged. Meanwhile, 75 percent indicate
that they are members of two-car households prime candidates
for an efficient commuter car like the all-electric,
zero-emission LEAF.
People interested in zero-emission mobility will have the
opportunity to see Nissan LEAF starting in November, on the
heels of its appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show, when it will be
on tour throughout the major launch markets in the United
States. The tour will kick off in Los Angeles at a dedicated
event.
Nissan is the only automaker committed to making all-electric
vehicles available to the mass market on a global scale.
Beginning in late 2012, Nissan will manufacture LEAF and its
advanced lithium-ion battery pack for the U.S. market at the
companys plant in Smyrna, Tenn. Initially, LEAF will be
manufactured in Japan.
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