The federal tax credit is what throws the monkey wrench into attempts to easily "resell" the Leaf registration.
From The Federal web site:
Quote:
The following requirements must also be met for a certified vehicle to qualify:
* The original use of the vehicle commences with the taxpayer—it must be a new vehicle.
* The vehicle is acquired for use or lease by the taxpayer, and not for resale. (The credit is only available to the original purchaser of a new, qualifying vehicle. If a qualifying vehicle is leased to a consumer, the leasing company may claim the credit.)
unquote
Doesn't seem to be any wiggle room here.
The prospective reseller has two choices:
Buy the leaf and immediately resell to the third party. The reseller takes the tax credit and compensates the third party as part of the resale, at whatever value they agree on. Since this is a private sale, Nissan or the dealership have no say.
Go to the dealership a delivery time with the third party and present to the Dealer like this:
Hi, I'm here to pickup my Leaf, but my "friend" here is going to pay for it and take title. Then the "friend" is eligible for the tax credit. The dealer reaction to this is where it gets interesting. There is no contractual obligation of the dealer to accept payment and transfer title to anyone but the person with the order. So the dealer could say, OK, whatever, and go along.
Or the dealer could say, if you, the person with the order, are not taking delivery, that means you are canceling the order and I'm putting this leaf out on the showroom floor. Your "friend" can go talk to one of our salespersons if he likes.
I'll be betting on the dealer taking the later position, unless there is some prior arrangement with the dealer.
