“A big hit,” is how Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn predicts its all-electric Nissan Leaf will be when it is offered in the US. The Leaf is the first affordable, mass-market all-electric vehicle that will be made available in the US.
Since last month, Nissan has recorded 13,000 reservations in the US. To reserve a vehicle, customers only have to deposit $99 (a refundable amount). In Japan, Nissan has received 6,000 reservations for the vehicle. Ghosn spoke with reporters after a speaking engagement at the Detroit Economic Club at the Cobo Center. He also shared that these reservations are from individuals and not for corporate fleets. Nissan is still taking orders for production in 2011. Pricing for the Leaf, which will arrive in the US in December, starts from $32,780, but after a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 is applied, it could cost $25,280. Electric vehicles figure prominently in Nissan’s strategy. Ghosn said that within a decade, electric vehicles are expected to comprise 10% of global vehicle sales. By 2013, Nissan and Renault expect to reach its goal of producing 500,000 electric vehicles, covering eight models.
[via freep]
Source: Car news, Car reviews, Spy shots