Motoryzacja

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said interest in its all-electric Nissan Leaf is strong and bodes well for what it is billing as the first affordable, mass-market all-electric vehicle to be sold in the U.S.

Nissan plans to price its Leaf electric car as low as $32,780, when the automaker releases the vehicle later this year.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said interest in its all-electric Nissan Leaf is strong and bodes well for what it is billing as the first affordable, mass-market all-electric vehicle to be sold in the U.S. "We think the Leaf is going to be a big hit," Ghosn said Tuesday after speaking to the Detroit Economic Club at Cobo Center.

In a sign that the cars of the future are becoming more affordable, Nissan's Leaf electric vehicle is to cost $32,780 when it goes on sale in December. The price falls to $25,280 with the federal tax break. Three-year leases also will be available for $349 and $1,999 down. Buyers must have a home charger installed, which runs $2,200 before a 50% tax credit.

Nissan North America broke ground Wednesday for a lithium-ion battery plant as part of a plan to build a five-passenger all-electric car, the Leaf, and create up to 1,300 jobs in Tennessee. The automaker's top executive said it was a no-risk venture. "This is going to be a money-maker," Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said.