Green NAIAS: Nissan Vindicated
EVs are common sights at car shows
Everybody Wants In On The Trend
Nissan executives at this year’s North American International Auto Show got a strong sense of déjà vu while the tallied the number of electric and hybrid vehicles at the event. As far back as 2009, a lifetime by technology standards, the Leaf was snickered at, ignored, and certainly not given its due. Electric cars, and many hybrid-electric vehicles, were considered futuristic and unrealistic from a business point of view. No, electric cars do not currently populate the garages of America, nor are they a common sight on the roadways of most towns and cities, even on the coasts. However, if one looks back at auto shows of the recent past, not just NAIAS, Nissan’s leap of faith and courage in building the Leaf is truly spectacular.
It could have become the laughingstock of the decade if things had not turned out as they did. Speaking of stock, the company might have watched share prices dive right along with credibility and reputation. However, the Leaf was a success. As a result, there are many other alternative fuel cars on display at the Detroit show.
In the meantime, Leaf continues to plug along, as in plug-in. Living up to the words of its corporate acronym, it has become a Leading, Environmentally-friendly, Affordable, Family car. With an equivalent fuel economy of 99 mpg, the Leaf’s official range is 73 miles. Before tax incentives by federal and state governments, the U.S. price of the car is just over $35,000 for 2012 models. That is a bit of an increase from last year, but the new package includes a level 3 charger.
Industry watchers follow the sales figures for both the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt to estimate how well the alternative fuel market is doing at any given time.
For more information about the NAIAS and Nissan, see: http://www.naias.com, http://www.nissanusa.com
Tesla was another NAIAS participant
Related posts:
That’s right, at the Detroit auto show there are over 50 electric cars, Hybrids, Diesels and alt fuel models, There are even some trucks and SUVs, and Nissan introduced a beautiful electric Van. Tomorrow will be the last day of the show so go check it out.