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Nissan Launches Leaf Production in U.S., Promises Lower-Cost Model
This week Nissan Motor Co. will formally begin mass-producing Leaf electric car at its plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
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This week Nissan Motor Co. will formally begin mass-producing Leaf electric car at its plant in Smyrna, Tenn. The vehicles previously were manufactured only in Japan.
Nissan also says it will add a lower-cost "S" version of the Leaf in February. The company has not elaborated, but both models will have greater range than the 73 miles estimated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for last year's Leaf.
Nissan began making batteries for the 2013 Leaf In Smyrna last autumn. The company, which had hoped to sell 20,000 EVs in the U.S. last year, found buyers for only 8,900 Leafs in 2012. Nissan has blamed a shortage of vehicles.
The Smyrna facility is assembling Leafs on the same line that builds Altima and Maxima sedans. Nissan also plans to begin making the Leaf at its factory in Sunderland, England, later this year.
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