Nissan first announced the LEAFs pricing as well as pre-order process back in March.
Since then over 15,000 people have plunked down a $99 deposit to hold their place in line to become one of the first people in the country to own or lease Nissan’s mass production electric car.
Though Nissan has bold plans to produce a half million EVs per year, first year production is only expected to be around 20,000 vehicles for North America. Furthermore LEAF rollout will be restricted at first to five geographic regions which include Phoenix (AZ), Tucson (AZ), San Diego (CA), Portland (OR), Eugene (OR), Salem (OR), Corvallis (OR), Seattle (WA), Nashville (TN), Knoxville (TN) and Chattanooga (TN).
So with all this demand from people who have have paid $99 it is rather unclear how, if, and when they will get their cars especially considering they are scattered all over the nation.
Nissan said they would unveil the rollout process in an email update on June 30th.
People did get an email:
Thank you again for your continued commitment to driving a Nissan LEAF™. you have reserved your place in history and will be one of the first in your area to own one.
we are still finalizing some details of the order process, and we will be in touch later this summer with additional information on your order timing. rest assured, this will not impact your reservation status. we will continue to keep you updated with all developments as they occur.
Apparently managing expectations will not be as easy as Nissan hoped.
![Will Ferrell Spotted Driving a Nissan LEAF [Video]](http://nissan-leaf.net/wp-content/themes/bigfoot/includes/timthumb.php?src=
http://nissan-leaf.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/wf.png
&h=48&w=48&zc=1)
I don’t see the problem here? They sent out an email telling us what they doing. Have they changed the delivery date or cancelled production? No need to worry here. Sit back & relax….
GO EV!!!!
Future LEAF Driver(Quote)
I do not understand what Nissan is doing with the roll out process. I give Nissan a great deal of credit for what they have done with the process and managing customers up until June 30. Their management has been doing a great job. Now however, they are doing confusing things. For example they say that San Diego will receive the first 1,000 cars they deliver to the U. S. Yet to my knowlege no “Assessment Process” for chargers has begun in San Diego but has begun in central California and other areas outside of San Diego County. They need to reinforce customer confidence with communications now.
Stan Stein(Quote)
Well the problem for me is that Nissan said with repeated emails that they would “be in touch by June 30 to provide further instructions”, but on June 30 they said only that “they would be in touch by later this summer.”
I understand that things change, and I guess Nissan received more orders than expected. But when a company sends out emails that turn out to be completely wrong, then you understand not to take later emails nearly so seriously.
That is, Nissan has moved from serious to flaky in my mind.
My thought now for later this summer is “maybe so, maybe not” but don’t count on it.
RB(Quote)
That excuse doesn’t make sense if first year production is to be 20,000 LEAFs as mentioned in today’s post – a number which I assume is among the many promises Nissan has been making with the LEAF. I am not surprised – I’ve always thought their grandiose statements on production and demand were not based upon real numbers and market research. If so, it was a cynical ploy to take advantage of the honest desire of us people who have been wishing and waiting for the day when electric cars become a market reality. A lot of us believed in them and sent them money in spite of knowing little to nothing about how a real LEAF drove, how long the battery warranty is, etc. — well, faith has been given to them, they now need to honor that and follow through on their words.
stuart22(Quote)
No big deal..they originally said they will start signing agreements with customers in August for deliveries in December. Therefore in my mind they are still on track to meet that date. I can only speculate about the June 30th date. I believe it has to do with the EV Project and government requirements on who qualifies for the government project. How do they determine the home owner is? If the person does qualify for the EV Project then backs out of the LEAF purchase what happens then. I think they jumped the gun on the “home assessment” and this has nothing to do with the LEAF production. I will take a LAEF even without the charger. A 110/120Vwill satisfy my needs and the 220V fast charger would be a luxury…
GO EV’s!!!!!
James(Quote)
@Stan Stein “For example they say that San Diego will receive the first 1,000 cars they deliver to the U. S.”
They said nothing of that sort. The 5 regions where Leaf is being rolled out first will each get 900 cars – this is as per EV Project that got $90 million grant from the government.
evnow(Quote)
evnow, the sales guy an the Nissan dealership said the same to me as well. There are about half a dozen dealerships in Phx that will be receiving their LEAF deliveries at the same time. A predetermined quantity will be allocated to each dealership.
A predetermined quantity will be allocated to each dealership. So we should be receiving our LEAF’s the same time that the folks in San Diego are getting theirs. Go EV’s!
James(Quote)
The geographical allocation method being used by Nissan (and also Volt) is sensible in relation to the need to correct any flaws later discovered.
But, it also creates winners and losers, according to where you live. As one of the people who is a loser, I’ll remember being so designated, and I’m sure other losers will also.
That is hardly important in relation to the relatively small place where I live (about 1.5 million in our “metropolitan region”) but it does become important when one realizes that major population centers — Atlanta and Tampa Bay as examples — also are designated losers. People don’t like that. There can be a backlash, especially after Nissan started out so well with what seemed to be a national plan.
RB(Quote)
evnow, You may be correct with respect to the allocation of cars between markets. I no longer take anything that is reported as fact despite the best of intention by an individual. I was quoting Static (See his report of June 26 on this site titled San Diego to get the first 1000 cars) and many others have said the same. San Diego has only about 900 hand raisers anyway. There I go again, I am taking a statement about the number of pre- orders in San Diego from a Nissan exec. to a news reporter as the source. I hope Nissan clarifies the delivery process soon!!
Stan Stein(Quote)
Link on NC installing charging stations
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/07/03/1541291/plug-in-and-drive-out-recharge.html
Judging by the allocation plan, these stations are going to sit and not be used for a while. Hope they still are working when needed.
RB(Quote)
Actually this is what statik wrote.
So, he is only talking for SD being the only EV Project area in California. That was, BTW, dated – as I pointed out in comments to that article. Now LA (and DC) have been added.
evnow(Quote)
RB – thanks for the link. Not bad $1 for a 40mi charge.
James(Quote)
James–not much of a risk for a long time, as few or no ev cars are coming to nc for next several years. Maybe we will be selected by BMW
RB(Quote)
I got that email as well (I am signed up for a LEAF.) Being in Texas it doesn’t look like I’m getting one any time soon.
Loboc(Quote)
Hey! they are no better than Tesla and the model S hipe that went out.
They just wanted the money and they got it.
You can buy an electric car if you have 100,000 dollars to spend. I’m going to buy a Honda and quit wasting my time waiting on some company to move in the right direction. The thing is dog ugly anyway.
Mike S(Quote)
Solve the rent or own debate. Rent to own homes serve an important purpose in today’s gloomy economy: They give us the opportunity to determine if they’d be better off as renters or homeowners.
Oswaldo Suttie(Quote)