REPORT: Nissan expecting 20,000 initial orders for Leaf EV
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Sep 30th 2009 at 8:40AM 
2010 Nissan Leaf EV - Click above for hi-res image gallery
Starting next spring, Nissan plans to begin taking orders of its upcoming Leaf electric vehicle. By the time the first car is ready to be delivered to a paying customer in the fall, the Japanese automaker expects to have taken some 20,000 initial reservations – well over the 5,000 Leafs Nissan has committed to lease in 2010. In other words, if you really want one, you may want to consider getting your order in early.
Nissan will launch the Leaf next year in the states of Tennessee and Oregon, along with San Diego, CA; Seattle, WA; and the Phoenix/Tucson region in Arizona. Each of those five locations has pledged to install 2,500 electric vehicle charging stations in expectation of a thousand or so new electric Leafs roaming their streets.
For the first two years or so, Nissan plans to import all U.S.-bound Leafs from Japan. By 2012, the automaker plans to have completed a $2 billion investment into its factory in Smyrna, TN that will allow for the production of 150,000 electric vehicles and 200,000 lithium ion batteries per year.
Gallery: 2010 Nissan Leaf EV
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
UCJR 9:19AM (9/30/2009)
I guess the status of 'smug' translates to 'gawdawfulugly' design.
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Dave 3:24PM (9/30/2009)
I bet the body isn't as ugly as the MSRP
mr.ed 9:52AM (9/30/2009)
This design has not one graceful line. From the catfish front to the garbage truck tail, it's a monstrosity. Perhaps some will think "distinctive." I think "stink."
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Mike 9:44AM (9/30/2009)
I'm with you UCJR. I'm not buying an electric car any time soon. But this thing is off the list for sure. The Volt has a distinctive look that says you're a greener but I think it looks good. This car is almost Aztek ugly.
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ugg.tryptophan 10:14AM (9/30/2009)
i really hope i dont see this on the road
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:05AM (9/30/2009)
If I see this on the road and if I am driving a truck I will promptly smash into it at full speed just to kill it.
LesPaul1 11:44AM (9/30/2009)
Guys, this car is all about function and not for looking good.. you know commuter car from A to B. More than half the cars on the road are just as ugly and vanilla.
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larry raines 12:54PM (9/30/2009)
Agree - but they really could have done a better job with the styling
F117Nghthawk 1:28PM (9/30/2009)
The people who care about looks while driving are the people who own think havin an iPhone makes you look cool while droppin calls. Who cars if the car gets 15mpg as long as they look cool doin it.
I for one would love to have an EV since it fits my commuting and school needs perfectly. what percentages of the population actually drives greater than 125 miles in a full days worth of commuting? answer is not a whole lot. so as long as you can stave off gas burning for the weekends then an EV is perfect for me. first all I need is access to an outddors outlet at my apt complex for it ot be feasable.
flychinook 4:41PM (9/30/2009)
So, buying/owning anything that looks nice is just vanity, and thereby unnecessary?
So should I assume that your furniture is made of concrete and milk crates? Anything more would just be showing off, ya know. And I'm sure they go well with your un-painted cinderblock house.
Believe it or not, some people like to own things that they think look nice, and not just to show off.
Jung 3:40PM (9/30/2009)
I really like the design and this color... And the interior is gorgeous too.
I'd totally buy it.
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ForgedInternals 6:42PM (9/30/2009)
I'd take this over a Volt but not a Focus EV
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nickds7 4:14AM (10/02/2009)
This is worse than aztek ugly. Why didn't they bother doing research on the publics opinion?
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