Nissan has started production of the Leaf in Japan and this new 100 per cent electric, zero-emission vehicle is scheduled to go on sale in Japan and the United States next month and select markets in Europe, including Ireland, next year.
"This is a significant milestone, not only for Nissan and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, but also for the entire automotive industry," said Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn at the Nissan Leaf offline ceremony.
"Consumers are clear. They want sustainable and affordable mobility, and the Alliance is leading the way with cars that deliver exactly that, with the reliability, excitement and performance that consumers demand. The high-quality, innovative Nissan Leaf will radically transform what consumers expect from automobile manufacturers worldwide."
The Nissan Leaf will be produced in Japan alongside popular new petrol models such as Nissan Juke and Nissan Cube. Part of the assembly line has been modified to mount battery modules at the stage of production where fuel tanks are traditionally installed, and motors and inverters are mounted at the point where engines are installed in petrol-powered vehicles.
