GaleHawkins
Well-known member
Moved to its own subject since it was off the OP subject at
https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=30913
I will review to see if I got the copy/paste correctly
https://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=30913
GaleHawkins said:Nubo said:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzb51NSB0bM
Thanks for the video link from 6 years ago that called the Leaf the car before its time. Does this mean the timing was off for the Leaf to become what Tesla has become?
Yes if Nissan had released the Leaf of late 2010 with today's 40 kWh battery with the 150 mile range it could have been a hit even without a public charging network in place with people making do with home charging options of that day. That would have added $5K-$10K in the selling price I expect which would have been a show stopper in the Nissan accounting department perhaps. Maybe the pricing low to gain market share that did not work out in hindsight for Nissan and was what prevented the Leaf from mega success.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/neil...-offer-better-technology-looks/#8574b431a747
Nissan Leaf Sales Falter As New Competitors Offer Better Technology, Looks
What would have happened in 2011 if the Leaf had a 150 mile driving range and a $10K higher selling price and the battery life was as good as Tesla introduced in their 2013 Model S line up? What would have happened if Nissan had of sold the Leaf at a greater net loss and or higher price from the get go more like like Tesla did opening in the $100K selling price range? Nissan is at risk of losing the billions they have put into the Leaf development and marketing. It was 3 billion back in 2014 per Nissan. Having been driving Nissan vehicles since 1973 their current state in the car industry hurts me to witness.
It seems Nissan would now like to price EV's more like Tesla's prices with their first 300 range EV but is that too little too late so save Nissan's past EV efforts. So will the Leaf truly go down in EV history as being a car before its time?
https://www.motor1.com/news/69473 /the-1948-tucker-sedan-a-car-ahead-of-its-time/
The 1948 Tucker Sedan: a Car Ahead of its Time
If the Ariya ever makes it into production it could be competitive in a technical sense. However if the Nissan dealerships are in serious financial trouble now would they even look at a new high end EV when the Leaf did not work out well for them. Tesla has proven it is easier to drop prices from a sky high level to lower levels. I think the Nissan brand is stuck in the $15K - $25K range in middle America. A $45K Super Leaf is not of interest to me personally unless Tesla pulls a disappearing act soon.
https://electrek.co/2019/12/04/ni...remium-vehicles-not-discount-cars-like-leaf/
Nissan shifts EV strategy to premium vehicles, not ‘discount cars’ like Leaf
"Automotive News Europe reported that the Ariya was going to be badged as an Infiniti before the luxury brand was discontinued in Europe.
Under the former CEO Carlos Ghosn, the Leaf’s price was discounted to stimulate sales, which was criticized by the new leadership.
Hiroto Saikawa, who served as Nissan’s chief executive for less than three years, stepped down in September. He said that price cuts and big sales targets tarnished the Leaf’s image. “What really destroyed Leaf’s product value was when we vastly cut the lease price for Leaf in the US. Since then, Leaf’s image is that of a discount car,” Mr. Saikawa said."
If Nissan states that it destroyed the Leaf's product value who is going to refute that fact? This fact is why I do not see the Ariya ever seeing the light of day especially if Nissan does not have a battery technology equal to top line EV makers of today and in the $100 per kWh range.
I will review to see if I got the copy/paste correctly