It looks like we are lucky in the US vs. those in the UK hoping to put a LEAF in the garage.
Nissan just announced that the UK will see 2,000 LEAFs distributed there in 2011, with an equal split between fleet and retail customers. While probably not to the liking of the UK marketplace, it seems that Nissan is favoring the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) and the US market initially over the European market. Nissan has already announced that delivery to the Netherlands will be pushed back to the third quarter of 2011. There have also been reports that Nissan is favoring the JDM over the US market initially. With a sales price of roughly a third more in Japan than in the US, it makes sense from an economic standpoint. Nissan is trying to maximize profitability from this first wave.
What remains to be seen is how strong demand will be once the initial clamor dies down. Certainly early adopters globally are interested in the LEAF. Once initial demand is satisfied, will supply exceed demand? That is the question. Nissan is making an effort to make the LEAF available to those who want to dip a toe in the water without making a commitment to the technology. Starting in January the LEAF will be available, at least in small numbers, at US rental companies Hertz and Enterprise in the initial launch markets. This to attract those who are curious about the technology, but aren’t yet ready to pull the trigger. Each company has contracted with Nissan to take delivery of 500 LEAFs next year. So it’s not just the Brits fighting it out for who gets a LEAF – the consumer or the fleet. The same scenario will be playing out in the US as well.