What's Wrong With This Picture: 1991 Nissan Leaf Edition
Well, it’s been nearly 20 years since Nissan offered its vision of a Future Electric Vehicle, but the dream seems to be coming true. According to Automotive News [sub], Nissan has already booked 3,754 (deposit-free) pre-orders for its Leaf EV in Japan, launching the nameplate over half of the way to its first-year JDM sales goal of 6,000 units. In the US, Nissan already has 115,000 potential buyers on its pubic reservation list, which gives buyers priority for pre-orders. Interestingly, only 15 percent of Japanese Leaf private pre-orders are from people under the age of 40, while a full 61 percent of pre-orderers are over 50 (though this could be more indicative of Japanese demography than anything to do with the car). 36 percent of all Japanese pre-orders so far are from fleets, though given the apparently strong demand for the little EV, this shouldn’t hurt resale too much. After all, that’s what long-term battery degradation is for. [Photo Hat Tip: TTAC Commenter Mercennarius]
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I looked at the details of the 36-month lease, and can't justify it, even as a "toy." $349 a month for the base model ("limited availability"). $379 a month for the upgraded model. $1999 down, plus whatever doc fee the dealer charges. With tax, that works out to total payments of $16,581.58 (or $460 per month with zero down) to rent a Leaf SL for three years. That's G37 money, folks. And with the Leaf, I'd need to keep, store, and insure my gas-powered car for longer trips. No thanks.
Okay, I'll bite (so to speak): what's a pubic reservation list? I'm not sure if I want to be on it or not...
Seeing the semi-enclosed rear wheel in that Nissan photo reminds me of how auto design has gone from cars with large green houses and fender skirted wheels to cars with narrow green houses and large wheel wells. Like a design fan dance, cover this, reveal that.
We were promised warranty information before April 20th on the Leaf. Have we gotten it?