Nissan released today its January sales report for the U.S. and revealed that LEAF sales are down 29.4% versus the same period last year. Until late in 2015, the company had the excuse of the upcoming 2016 models, which were affecting sales negatively as potential buyers were waiting for the upgrade, but the new cars arrived at dealerships and December was still a very disappointing month for Nissan’s all-electric vehicle.
The company delivered 755 LEAFs in the US in January versus 1,070 during the same period in 2015, which represent a 29.4% decrease in sales.
Some were hoping that this year Nissan would let us forget the LEAF’s poor 2015 sales performance, 17,269 units versus 30,200 in 2014, especially with the new 2016 models, but the company is not up to a good start in January.
The new 30 kWh battery pack option for the 2016 models gets 107 EPA-rated miles on a single charge and is at an interesting price point after incentive. The pack is standard on the LEAF SV and LEAF SL models which starts at $34,200 and $36,790 respectively. Nissan also still offers the 24 kWh pack option on the LEAF S, which starts at $29,010.
You would think the new option would spur interest in Nissan’s flagship EV and the current slump might also simply be a problem with lagging inventory due to a slow ramp up. We probably should wait a few more sales reports before calling the LEAF “dead” in the US.
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Oil prices?
Not very surprising considering they cut the $5,000 state tax credit in georgia and it was one of their biggest markets
I would have thought Leaf sales would bounce back with the new battery as well. I am seriously considering (giving my wife the Focus EV and) leasing a 30 kWh Leaf myself but I wont need it until March.
Nissan doesn’t realize the car is ugly as hell. It’s visually unappealing in world of teslas and sleeker, more attractive hybrid designs.
Nissan doesn’t realize how ugly the car is. In a world full of teslas and sleek, attractive, even aggressive looking hybrids, the leaf is just not appealing in any way. In my opinion at least. The leaf is need of a major design haul.
Didn’t realize stupid WordPress posted both versions of my comment….
Maybe not enough difference – the 2016 Leaf is competing with the 2017/18 Leaf that get’s a 48 kWh, 200 mile battery. Why buy 106 miles when a short wait will give you 200?
Exactly, if I was looking for an affordable electric car right now, but not in a hurry, I’d be better off waiting for the next generation Leaf (and in the meantime see what Tesla comes up with)
The reason it’s not selling is because its ugly as hell! LoL
The reason why it’s not selling is because its ugly as hell!
Sorry but Tesla is the standard!