Andy Palmer article: 10/2/2012 (sales goals, plug in Hybrid)

[jhm614]

Here's an interesting Detroit News article that quotes Andy Palmer several times: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...61/Nissan-exec--Leaf-sales-fall-short-of-goal

The article mentions a new VP overseeing the Leaf program global. Not sure if that's Palmer himself or someone else. Also, Palmer's title looks very close to Mark Perry's old title. Does that mean he's replacing Perry? It's very light on details but this is the most info I have seen from Mr. Palmer in a while.

He talks about:
1) Not Hitting the 20,000 2013 sales goal
2) Marketing mistakes
3) A plug in Hybrid coming in 2015! (first I've seen of this?)
4) The importance of TN production to hitting sales goals.
5) 2013's hitting dealer showrooms at the end of Feb 2013
6) The poor handling of the accelerated battery aging in hot climates.

 

[DaveinOlyWA]

end of Feb for the 2013s is a bit disappointing. this means that Smyrna wont crank up until the end of Dec. sounds like they are rushing to make their timetable.... not good

 

[RegGuheert]

Thanks for the article!

6) The poor handling of the accelerated battery aging in hot climates.

That's not exactly what he said. In fact, he flat-out denied the existence of ANY issues with the LEAF batteries in AZ:

He said the company's data shows no issues with Arizona batteries, but it needs to better respond to customers.

"To be straightforward, we don't know how to deal with it. We've been slow," Palmer said.

Of course they don't know how to deal with it. If you deny the existence of what is staring you directly in the face, then you will not manage to cope well with that reality.

C'mon, Nissan, stop with the double-talk and speak plainly! Your customers have MAJOR issues with the batteries in their LEAFs in Phoenix. That means YOU have issues. Until you admit there is a problem, you will not be able to move forward with the LEAF. Take a look over the wall at how GM is treating Volt customers and you will start to understand one important reason why the sales trajectories have diverged this year.

 

[evchels]

The article mentions a new VP overseeing the Leaf program global. Not sure if that's Palmer himself or someone else.

Billy Hayes will be the new VP of LEAF sales: http://linkd.in/T0Qe9X

Palmer's title looks very close to Mark Perry's old title. Does that mean he's replacing Perry?

No, there's been no mention that I've seen of a direct replacement for Mark. But the corporate structure page for Nissan shows where Andy fits in: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/COMPANY/PROFILE/EXECUTIVE/details.html

 

[TomT]

I'm not surprised if this is true. As I said some time ago, I think Nissan may be realizing that EV sales may not be what they want or hoped them to be for a long time and is hedging their bet.

(first I've seen of this?)[/b]

 

[charge]

The article mentions a new VP overseeing the Leaf program global. Not sure if that's Palmer himself or someone else.

Billy Hayes will be the new VP of LEAF sales: http://linkd.in/T0Qe9X[/ur. I...g the plug with the all electric Nissan Leaf!

 

[mwalsh]

Isn't that they guy from the infomercials?

That was Billy Mays, and he's dead. As an aside, I hear he was a really, really nice guy.