Nissan announced on Tuesday that its iconic LEAF compact electric vehicle, which debuted in December 2010, has finally reached a milestone of more than one million units sold worldwide.
Nissan achieves milestone of over 1 million electric vehicles sold globally.
Since its inception more than a dozen years ago, over 650,000 units of the iconic Nissan LEAF electric vehicle have been sold worldwide. Since its introduction, the LEAF has held the distinction of being the best-selling electric vehicle, cementing Nissan’s position as a pioneering force in the EV industry.
Over the past decade and a half, the industry has undergone a dramatic transformation. Most major car manufacturers have already introduced or are preparing to release their own fully electric vehicles. Numerous consumers have already upgraded to their second or third-generation electric vehicles.
While the LEAF has held its position as the best-selling electric vehicle cumulatively, it faced stiff competition from Tesla’s Model 3, which eventually surpassed it in early 2020 with its impressive sales.
The Mannequin 3 began delivering in late 2017, eventually becoming the best-selling electric vehicle (EV) in both 2018 and 2019 before ultimately surpassing the LEAF in early 2020.
In the intervening period, Nissan has failed to introduce a new compact electric vehicle despite dwindling sales figures. Nissan’s 2024 LEAF model regrettably reverts back to the outdated CHAdeMO fast-charging technology, a decision that should have been made years ago, leaving many wondering what took so long to address this glaring omission.
As the array of long-range electric vehicles expands, the Nissan LEAF’s once-dominant position in the market is increasingly threatened by shifting consumer preferences.
Nissan marked a significant achievement on Tuesday, surpassing the 1 million mark for global electric vehicle (EV) sales, a feat accomplished just over 12 years since introducing its first mass-market EV.
Compared to expectations, Tesla has successfully delivered 888,000 vehicles in the first half of 2023, with a goal to reach 1.8 million electric vehicle (EV) deliveries by year’s end.
The following chapter
Nissan has finally unveiled its second global electric vehicle and inaugural all-electric SUV, the Nissan Ariya, after more than a decade of development and slight setbacks.
Although initially slated for a 2021 release, the Ariya’s market debut finally took place in the US towards the end of 2022.
As of the first half of the year, Nissan’s electric SUV has surpassed sales of the LEAF in the US market. Ariya’s total gross sales amount to 5,195, with 4,234 LEAF fashion items sold.
Starting at $43,190, the 2023 Ariya’s base 63-kilowatt-hour battery offers an estimated range of up to 216 miles. Consider upgrading to the more substantial 87 kWh battery, which now offers an impressive range of up to 304 miles, starting at a base MSRP of $47,190.
Nissan pioneered a bold move to boost sales and drive adoption in the US market by embracing Tesla’s NACS connector, thereby granting electric vehicle customers seamless access to Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network.
Nissan has confirmed plans to commence production of two electric sedan models at its Canton, Mississippi facility by 2026, as per its current manufacturing schedule extending through that year. By 2024, a limited number of electric crossovers are expected to enter the market.
Nissan has expanded its electric vehicle lineup by introducing its first mini electric car, the Sakura, exclusively for the Japanese market. The automaker anticipates that the Sakura could be a game-changer for the Japanese market, potentially making EVs significantly more attainable for customers in Japan.
Priced at approximately $21,700, the Sakura boasts a range of up to 180 kilometers in Japan’s WLTC cycle testing, with a starting point at 2,333,100 yen. According to Nissan, its miniature electric vehicle has attracted more than 50,000 pre-orders in Japan alone.
As part of its Nissan Ambition 2030 strategy, the company intends to debut 19 electric vehicle models by 2030. By 2028, the company aims to introduce electric vehicles equipped with in-house developed solid-state batteries capable of storing double the energy of current lithium-ion batteries.
