CentralCAOwner
Member
- Joined
- Jul 27, 2014
- Messages
- 5
Has anyone else noticed, that their seems to be a real "lack of interest" on the part of their local Nissan dealership about their EV Charge Stations?
I just picked up a new 2014 Leaf at my local dealer, and every time I visit to charge my Leaf - only 1 out of 3 Charge stations is (somewhat) working.
I took noticed of this when we first looked at the Leaf. The two Level 2 stations didn't work, (and b/t/w STILL aren't working) and when the Level 3 station isn't displaying "error", it will only charge until about 60% before it cuts-out (dealer says it "overheats"). Still whenever I go into the dealer to report the problem, they act like they could care less!
Now everything I read about "Corporate Nissan" is very positive concerning EV development and charge stations - their installing more & more everyday.
However, if you take a look via "PlugShare" at comments made by persons attempting to charge at Nissan dealerships -vs- Nissan installed chargers at other locations. Looks to me like Leaf owners are having less trouble charging at Nissan Level 2/3 stations installed in the other locations (like parking garages, universities, etc.) then they do at the Nissan dealership itself -where if the station often is not functioning -for months -and don't count on it to be available anytime soon. Some Leaf "PlugShare" users commented on one dealer in the Seattle area that will only allow THEIR Leaf customers to charge -which sure seems contradictory to everything Corporate Nissan is trying to accomplish in it's quest to build a long range network of Level 3 charge stations.
So as I write this, I can't help but think "what IS Nissan trying to accomplish"? Does Nissan envision it's future as an all electric vehicle manufacturer (like Tesla)? And at what cost to their own dealerships? I also couldn't help remembering what my Leaf dealership said during the financial negotiations that took place. I kept being reminded by my dealer that they, (like most -if not all Nissan dealerships) are taking a loss on each car they sell. In my case I think it was around $1600. So from a business prospective you can't help wondering "what's in it for the dealer?" Seems like their losing money all-around on each Leaf sale.
First they lose money on the sale, and then again in their Service Department, as electric vehicles simply are not going to require as much maintenance as the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, they are also selling. And now on top of that, they are now being forced by Nissan to provide energy for the car they just loss money on!
It's going to be very interesting to see over the next couple of years, how this all plays out for Nissan and it's dealerships. In the mean time, if they are going to have any chance in holding on their record sales numbers for Leaf's - they better get the dealerships to service and maintain their Level 2/3 charge stations in good working order, (even if they have to subsidize it themselves) or risk losing loyal Leaf customers to Tesla in 2017 when the Model 3 arrives.
I just picked up a new 2014 Leaf at my local dealer, and every time I visit to charge my Leaf - only 1 out of 3 Charge stations is (somewhat) working.
I took noticed of this when we first looked at the Leaf. The two Level 2 stations didn't work, (and b/t/w STILL aren't working) and when the Level 3 station isn't displaying "error", it will only charge until about 60% before it cuts-out (dealer says it "overheats"). Still whenever I go into the dealer to report the problem, they act like they could care less!
Now everything I read about "Corporate Nissan" is very positive concerning EV development and charge stations - their installing more & more everyday.
However, if you take a look via "PlugShare" at comments made by persons attempting to charge at Nissan dealerships -vs- Nissan installed chargers at other locations. Looks to me like Leaf owners are having less trouble charging at Nissan Level 2/3 stations installed in the other locations (like parking garages, universities, etc.) then they do at the Nissan dealership itself -where if the station often is not functioning -for months -and don't count on it to be available anytime soon. Some Leaf "PlugShare" users commented on one dealer in the Seattle area that will only allow THEIR Leaf customers to charge -which sure seems contradictory to everything Corporate Nissan is trying to accomplish in it's quest to build a long range network of Level 3 charge stations.
So as I write this, I can't help but think "what IS Nissan trying to accomplish"? Does Nissan envision it's future as an all electric vehicle manufacturer (like Tesla)? And at what cost to their own dealerships? I also couldn't help remembering what my Leaf dealership said during the financial negotiations that took place. I kept being reminded by my dealer that they, (like most -if not all Nissan dealerships) are taking a loss on each car they sell. In my case I think it was around $1600. So from a business prospective you can't help wondering "what's in it for the dealer?" Seems like their losing money all-around on each Leaf sale.
First they lose money on the sale, and then again in their Service Department, as electric vehicles simply are not going to require as much maintenance as the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles, they are also selling. And now on top of that, they are now being forced by Nissan to provide energy for the car they just loss money on!
It's going to be very interesting to see over the next couple of years, how this all plays out for Nissan and it's dealerships. In the mean time, if they are going to have any chance in holding on their record sales numbers for Leaf's - they better get the dealerships to service and maintain their Level 2/3 charge stations in good working order, (even if they have to subsidize it themselves) or risk losing loyal Leaf customers to Tesla in 2017 when the Model 3 arrives.