A reader asked this question recently. Unfortunately, currently the answer is, we don’t know.
More specifically, the query came from a reader that resides in one of the five early market areas. Nissan has stated that the LEAF will offer increased availability beginning in spring 2011. But Nissan has also stated that consumers who have made reservations will be sequenced in order for their particular market. We also know that global release (including much of the US) will not occur until 2012, after Smyrna LEAF production comes online.
Sequenced in order for their particular market. This language leads one to believe that if someone in Omaha was one of the first to place a $99 deposit on a LEAF, and if another places a $99 deposit on a LEAF in Nashville today (one of the December, 2010 launch markets), conceivably, the Nashville LEAF may be delivered prior to the Omaha delivery (our emphasis). We have an inquiry in to Nissan to provide some clarification on this.
Also, according to Nissan, more than 90 percent of those interested in LEAF that have contacted Nissan drive less than 100 miles daily. Fully three-quarters reside in two-car households, making the LEAF an ideal fit. Perhaps, most importantly to todays topic, strongest consumer response to the LEAF came from San Diego, Tucson, Seattle, Portland and Los Angeles. Which is exactly why these include the early launch areas.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
The Nissan Leaf website reads in part “Roll out begins in select markets in December with vechicles available in all major launch markets quickly thereafter”. What does that mean? One interpretation could be that “launch markets” refers to the States of California, Oregon,Washington, Arizona and Tennessee. These States have been referred to as launch sites in the past. The fact that home assessments are currently taking place all over these States leads me to believe that roll out in December will probably include early hand raisers in these States. However, it is possible that the words above “roll out begins in select markets” refers to a smaller group of customers in these same States who will receive their cars first before customers “in all major launch markets(receive theirs) quickly thereafter”. Perhaps the smaller group are those customers that will be chosen to participate in the Evo project inorder to get that $100,000,000. program underway. That program is scheduled to start 1/1/2011. Leafguy, what do you think?
Stan:
“Select markets” are the five that you reference in your comment. “Major launch markets” include the states of Hawaii and Texas, and Washington, D.C., among others. Major launch markets will see the LEAF in spring of 2011 according to Nissan. The EV Project was initially only providing chargers in the five “select markets”. The scope has now been expanded, as is posted on The EV Project web site home page. Also, don’t confuse home charger installation assessments with the EV Project. These are two separate companies, so if you are contacted for an assessment, you are not part of the EV Project.
Ernie
Leafguy, I am aware that The Evo Project and the current home charging assessments taking place by Aerovironment in some parts of Ca. are two different things. Those of us in San Diego County have not had assessments done by either Ecotality or Aerovironment because Nissan is still evauating the eTec surveys to determine if someone qualifies for a free charger. I guess, if you qualify for a free charger Ecotality will do the installation if you do not maybe Aerovironment will do it . My question remains. Will people on The Evo project here in San Diego receive their Leafs first before other orders are filled.
stanley
As I stated in my post – we don’t know. Our inquiry to Nissan was made over the weekend. We don’t know when, or if, Nissan will answer our question.