Nissan to run out of Leaf's

Nissan has announced that demand for their new electric car the Leaf is so great that it could mean the manufacturer will run out of stock.

The order book for the cars opens in July time, but it is reported that Nissan sales staff will not need to create ''buy my car'' style promotions, as interest is already mounting at great speed.

Initial pre orders in the US are reportedly over 7,000 according to WhatCar? with pre orders in Japan not far behind at 4,000.

In move not dissimilar to a publicity stunt, the Japanese car maker says that during the first 3 months of sales, their could be shortages and advises buyers to register interest as soon as possible.

Whilst the first cars off the production line will be made in Japan, by 2013, Leaf models should be manufactured at Nissan's Sunderland plant, bolstering jobs in the North-East.

Nissan is hoping to become the market leader in all electric family cars, with its closest counterpart, the Toyota Prius, an electric/petrol hybrid. Nissan claims that its Leaf is in fact cheaper than the Prius, both in terms of initial price and running costs.

If Nissan are correct in their assumptions we should expect to see an influx of Leaf's on our roads later this year, with Nissan showrooms standing empty and sales staff looking flustered.

 

John Child, West Yorkshire, Caterham 7

Chris & Clare Beddoes, Worcester, Chevrolet Kalos