Nissan’s all-electric LEAF full-size, five-seat hatchback goes on-sale on 1 June priced at $51,500.
In announcing the pricing strategy, Nissan also revealed some of the customer care programs which will support its push to become Australia’s zero-emissions new car leader.
Top of the list is support to provide a home-charging facility. In some locations this will require upgraded of your electricity system and Nissan has partnered with relevant specialists to provide a seamless process for LEAF buyers. In fact assessment of your home (or workplace) system for ‘Level 2’ charging and installation will be the first step in the Nissan LEAF purchase process.
At this stage Nissan has appointed specialist LEAF dealers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. As well as selling the LEAF, these dealers will fit-out their workshops with specialized service equipment and have a dedicated LEAF technician.
Nissan plans to have all metropolitan and provincial dealers handling LEAFs by 2014 as the company vies the LEAF as an integral part of its range. “We’ve stated before that we expect to see meaningful sales volume from LEAF as a contribution to Nissan Australia’s market growth expectations and zero emission leadership aspirations,” explained Nissan CEO Dan Thompson.
Nissan expects to sell a few hundred LEAFs in the last six months of next year and in am full 12 months, sales volume will be in the four-figure range.
The Nissan LEAF has much to offer electric car buyers. It’s a full-size five-seat hatchback – larger than Mazda3 and the Lexus CT200h, the LEAF is a whole metre longer and 30cm wider than Mitsubishi’s compact electric iMiev (stickered at $48,800).
And unlike the iMiev which is based on a petrol-powered model, the Nissan LEAF is a ground-up electric car design with impressive aerodynamics and interior space. It’s green credentials are more than zero emissions – for example the seat fabrics are made from re-cycled plastic bottles.
Next-up in Nissan’s electric fleet will be some light commercial vans and the company’s soon-to-be-launched Infiniti luxury brand will also have an all-electric model in a few years.
