Nissan trims Leaf EV price to $39,990 drive-away
BY MIKE COSTELLO | 2nd May 2013
The pioneering pure electric runabout is now available to private buyers for just $39,990 drive-away, down from $46,990.
This latest price cut follows a circa-$8000 discount introduced last December, meaning the Leaf is about $15,000 cheaper now than at launch in June last year.
The Japanese company says the new price point – $20,000 less than the Holden Volt plug-in hybrid – is intended to “broaden the appeal” of electric cars by grabbing the attention of buyers “who might have been put off by the comparatively higher purchase price typically associated”.
Nissan will sweeten the deal with a special repayment plan, charging $85 per week with a low comparison rate of 1.9 per cent over three years – provided customers shell out a $10,000 deposit.
“Nissan has taken a number of pioneering steps with the Leaf electric car,” said Nissan Australia managing director and CEO William Peffer.
“This is an exceptional car and we are keen to make it more appealing to Australian new-car buyers.
“I encourage anyone considering a small car to drive a Nissan Leaf first, especially if you live in an urban area. First-time drivers of the Nissan Leaf are surprised by its fun-to-drive nature and owners never seem to grow tired of not having to buy petrol.
“The Leaf should be on the shopping list of every small-car buyer,” he said.
Meanwhile, GoAuto understands government and not-for-profit fleets will be charged substantially less, with scaled fleet pricing believed to start below $30,000.
Nissan Australia media and public relations manager Peter Fadeyev told GoAuto the company was “particularly keen for the Nissan Leaf to secure a stronger foothold in the fleet market”.
Last February, the City of Sydney took delivery of 10 Leafs – the largest single order for the car taken in Australia so far.
Mr Fadeyev also said that most Leaf sales so far in Australia – 77 units in 2012 and 36 so far this year – were to individual customers.
“I should probably refer to our customers as ‘ambassadors’, because the enthusiasm we have seen from our Leaf customers has been wonderful,” he said.
However, the new pricing is only scheduled to last until October 31 this year, beyond which things become less clear.
Nissan is now selling a facelifted Leaf overseas, which is around 80kg lighter than the older Australian version and has a 28km longer range. As yet, Nissan Australia has no confirmed launch timing for this newer version.
