Yanquetino
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 11, 2010
- Messages
- 479
By now, I'm sure you've all read about the new Customer Advisory Board for the Volt. For a long time now, I have thought that Nissan needs to do something similar for the Leaf, albeit on a larger scale: an "Ambassador Program."
The idea is this. Although the initial rollout will occur in only limited states, Nissan could certainly begin laying the groundwork elsewhere by appointing a few key ambassadors among the reservation holders in other areas. They could then sell and deliver Leafs to those ambassadors early, with the condition that they will then make arrangements to introduce, explain, and give test drives of the vehicle to key members of their communities: government officials, utility executives, news reporters, TV and radio personalities, teachers, fleet operators, environmental and consumer groups. Nissan could also provide the ambassadors with brochures and leaflets, to hand out to anyone and everyone who showed interest, wherever the vehicle happened to be at any given moment.
I am not talking about a large number of ambassadors: no more than, say, four per state. After all, 200 Leafs would hardly deplete the 20,000 reserved to date! But think what such advanced exposure could do to educate and interest consumers for when the rollout finally reaches their market. That glimpse of the future would also underscore the need to start building the public infrastructure for EV charging sooner rather than later.
Nissan could invite reservation holders who feel they have the time, talent, and enthusiasm to apply for an ambassadorship. I'm sure there are many EV advocates among us who would jump at the chance to serve in this capacity. Indeed, I'll bet most of us intend to do such "evangelizing" anyway, once we finally take delivery of our Leafs. And as an extra incentive to apply... perhaps Nissan could provide the ambassadors with their EVSEs free-of-charge.
I would gladly submit an application! Anyone else?
The idea is this. Although the initial rollout will occur in only limited states, Nissan could certainly begin laying the groundwork elsewhere by appointing a few key ambassadors among the reservation holders in other areas. They could then sell and deliver Leafs to those ambassadors early, with the condition that they will then make arrangements to introduce, explain, and give test drives of the vehicle to key members of their communities: government officials, utility executives, news reporters, TV and radio personalities, teachers, fleet operators, environmental and consumer groups. Nissan could also provide the ambassadors with brochures and leaflets, to hand out to anyone and everyone who showed interest, wherever the vehicle happened to be at any given moment.
I am not talking about a large number of ambassadors: no more than, say, four per state. After all, 200 Leafs would hardly deplete the 20,000 reserved to date! But think what such advanced exposure could do to educate and interest consumers for when the rollout finally reaches their market. That glimpse of the future would also underscore the need to start building the public infrastructure for EV charging sooner rather than later.
Nissan could invite reservation holders who feel they have the time, talent, and enthusiasm to apply for an ambassadorship. I'm sure there are many EV advocates among us who would jump at the chance to serve in this capacity. Indeed, I'll bet most of us intend to do such "evangelizing" anyway, once we finally take delivery of our Leafs. And as an extra incentive to apply... perhaps Nissan could provide the ambassadors with their EVSEs free-of-charge.
I would gladly submit an application! Anyone else?