2013 Mar Plugin Sales Discussion : Leaf 2,236 ! ; Volt 1,478

[edatoakrun]

I know dealers in our area just got Leafs a week or so ago. And most of the dealers have a grand total of 1 on the lot. So I would definitely add that sales are impressive for March considering lack of vehicles on dealer lots. Which means April may have even more impressive numbers.
...

The first 2013 LEAF got to Redding CA ~ 3/15 and immediately sold.

There were three more 2013s at Crown Nissan when I dropped on 3/23 by while I was having my LEAFs tires rotated across the street.

I was immediately made an offer "I (almost) could not refuse" on a 2013, by a very persuasive salesman.

If they had had a slate SL on the lot, I might have been unable to resist.

One thing I noticed, is that at Crown, ALL the sales associates can now sell the LEAF, where as until very recently, only two or three "LEAF specialists" were allowed to make LEAF sales.

If this is policy has changed nationwide, Id expect it to be a significant factor in the rapid increases in monthly LEAF sales, as the prior incentive for many sales associates to push buyers toward ICEVs has been eliminated.

IMO, you should ever underestimate the power of a sales commission...

 

[scottf200]

One thing I noticed, is that at Crown, ALL the sales associates can now sell the LEAF, where as until very recently, only two or three "LEAF specialists" were allowed to make LEAF sales.

If this is policy has changed nationwide, Id expect it to be a significant factor in the rapid increases in monthly LEAF sales, as the prior incentive for many sales associates to push buyers toward ICEVs has been eliminated.

IMO, you should ever underestimate the power of a sales commission...

Double edge sword perhaps if all the sales folks (examples in other threads) do not fully understand the LEAF and true range (and if sold vs lease then battery degradation we all will face.). Some of these sales could turn sour days/weeks later. For short commuters the LEAF will be great and get positive feedback.

 

[PaulScott]

I know dealers in our area just got Leafs a week or so ago. And most of the dealers have a grand total of 1 on the lot. So I would definitely add that sales are impressive for March considering lack of vehicles on dealer lots. Which means April may have even more impressive numbers.
...

The first 2013 LEAF got to Redding CA ~ 3/15 and immediately sold.

There were three more 2013s at Crown Nissan when I dropped on 3/23 by while I was having my LEAFs tires rotated across the street.

I was immediately made an offer "I (almost) could not refuse" on a 2013, by a very persuasive salesman.

If they had had a slate SL on the lot, I might have been unable to resist.

One thing I noticed, is that at Crown, ALL the sales associates can now sell the LEAF, where as until very recently, only two or three "LEAF specialists" were allowed to make LEAF sales.

If this is policy has changed nationwide, Id expect it to be a significant factor in the rapid increases in monthly LEAF sales, as the prior incentive for many sales associates to push buyers toward ICEVs has been eliminated.

IMO, you should ever underestimate the power of a sales commission...

Here at Nissan of Downtown LA, we have 8 LEAF sales people. We all have a friendly competition over the cars as they come in, especially anything with a Premium Package as those seem to be in high demand.

We sold ten LEAfs in two days last weekend. We'll probably have sold 30 for the month of March the way things are going.

 

[edatoakrun]

One thing I noticed, is that at Crown, ALL the sales associates can now sell the LEAF, where as until very recently, only two or three "LEAF specialists" were allowed to make LEAF sales.

If this is policy has changed nationwide, Id expect it to be a significant factor in the rapid increases in monthly LEAF sales, as the prior incentive for many sales associates to push buyers toward ICEVs has been eliminated.

IMO, you should ever underestimate the power of a sales commission...

Double edge sword perhaps if all the sales folks (examples in other threads) do not fully understand the LEAF and true range (and if sold vs lease then battery degradation we all will face.). Some of these sales could turn sour days/weeks later. For short commuters the LEAF will be great and get positive feedback.

Car buyers not making an informed decision due to misrepresentation by incompetent sales associates?

Wow, I guess that actually could happen!

Just like some Volt buyers didn't realize what an inefficient and obsolescent PHEV they bought, and some still don't, months or even years later.

 

[edatoakrun]

I know dealers in our area just got Leafs a week or so ago. And most of the dealers have a grand total of 1 on the lot. So I would definitely add that sales are impressive for March considering lack of vehicles on dealer lots. Which means April may have even more impressive numbers.
...

The first 2013 LEAF got to Redding CA ~ 3/15 and immediately sold.

There were three more 2013s at Crown Nissan when I dropped on 3/23 by while I was having my LEAFs tires rotated across the street.

I was immediately made an offer "I (almost) could not refuse" on a 2013, by a very persuasive salesman.

If they had had a slate SL on the lot, I might have been unable to resist.

One thing I noticed, is that at Crown, ALL the sales associates can now sell the LEAF, where as until very recently, only two or three "LEAF specialists" were allowed to make LEAF sales.

If this is policy has changed nationwide, Id expect it to be a significant factor in the rapid increases in monthly LEAF sales, as the prior incentive for many sales associates to push buyers toward ICEVs has been eliminated.

IMO, you should ever underestimate the power of a sales commission...

Here at Nissan of Downtown LA, we have 8 LEAF sales people. We all have a friendly competition over the cars as they come in, especially anything with a Premium Package as those seem to be in high demand.

We sold ten LEAfs in two days last weekend. We'll probably have sold 30 for the month of March the way things are going.

So, at your dealership, LEAF sales are still limited to certain sales associates?

Do you know when and if that policy is planned to change?

 

[adric22]

yes, yes.. this is very important. I've been saying this for a while now. It is really unfair to compare Leaf sales to other vehicles until this is resolved. As for sales people needing training. I don't get it. 10 minutes of training should be all that is needed. They need to know the range, the charge time, and a few other little tidbits and it shouldn't be much different from selling any other vehicle. This is one advantage the Volt has had. Since it can run on gasoline the dealers can treat it pretty much like any other car on the lot. They don't even need to keep them charged up.

 

[davidcary]

Well - I would just like to look at my guess before the 1900 was released.... "close to 2000". By availability reports in CA, I would guess that April will be the best month ever for Leaf sales.

 

[evnow]

Here at Nissan of Downtown LA, we have 8 LEAF sales people. We all have a friendly competition over the cars as they come in, especially anything with a Premium Package as those seem to be in high demand.

We sold ten LEAfs in two days last weekend. We'll probably have sold 30 for the month of March the way things are going.

Do the sales guys offer Leaf even if the potential customer doesn't mention it by name ? Or do they talk about it only if the customer enquires ?

 

[evnow]

Sales near 2,000 in March would be pretty good for the LEAF, considering supply restraints.

But I think US monthly LEAF sales could hit 3,000 very soon, and, as I posted back in January:

No doubt there is some pent up demand, so we will see good numbers for a few months. The question is - are the good numbers sustainable ? I think that is still very much an open question.

Ghosn only talked about a 20% increase this year - 12k instead of 10k (or 1,000 per month). I've estimated 18k (or 1.5k per month).

 

[PaulScott]

Here at Nissan of Downtown LA, we have 8 LEAF sales people. We all have a friendly competition over the cars as they come in, especially anything with a Premium Package as those seem to be in high demand.

We sold ten LEAfs in two days last weekend. We'll probably have sold 30 for the month of March the way things are going.

Do the sales guys offer Leaf even if the potential customer doesn't mention it by name ? Or do they talk about it only if the customer enquires ?

Pretty much everyone we sell to are already looking for the LEAF. I don't know how much they try to switch ICE buyers to the LEAF. I doubt there is much of that going yet.

 

[davidcary]

Sales near 2,000 in March would be pretty good for the LEAF, considering supply restraints.

But I think US monthly LEAF sales could hit 3,000 very soon, and, as I posted back in January:

No doubt there is some pent up demand, so we will see good numbers for a few months. The question is - are the good numbers sustainable ? I think that is still very much an open question.

Ghosn only talked about a 20% increase this year - 12k instead of 10k (or 1,000 per month). I've estimated 18k (or 1.5k per month).

Yeah - I was basing my guess on pent up demand. But 20% this year seems pessimistic. There are tons of people who aren't buying the first iteration of a new car - 2 years is fine to get the kinks out and then add some features and drop the price - that should add some numbers.

The other issue is capitulation on the pace of battery tech. The man on the street thinks batteries are going to be like semiconductors - exponential growth. As they realize this won't happen, they finally go ahead and buy.

And then lease prices vs gas prices. When leases go down and gas goes up, it is really hard to argue with $250 lease payment vs $250 month in gas (in my area with low electric).

And then there are the chargers that keep popping up. 2 Mcds in my town in the last year installed chargers. I will probably never use them but the sight of them gets people thinking.

 

[RegGuheert]

Yeah - I was basing my guess on pent up demand. But 20% this year seems pessimistic. There are tons of people who aren't buying the first iteration of a new car - 2 years is fine to get the kinks out and then add some features and drop the price - that should add some numbers.

The other issue is capitulation on the pace of battery tech. The man on the street thinks batteries are going to be like semiconductors - exponential growth. As they realize this won't happen, they finally go ahead and buy.

And then lease prices vs gas prices. When leases go down and gas goes up, it is really hard to argue with $250 lease payment vs $250 month in gas (in my area with low electric).

Good points, all! Belated welcome to the forum, BTW!

And then there are the chargers that keep popping up. 2 Mcds in my town in the last year installed chargers. I will probably never use them but the sight of them gets people thinking.

Another good point, but I have to say that a McD isn't a great place for an L2. If McDonalds want to attract EV owners' business, it seems like installing L3s at every one of the McDs they have at the exits off interstates. OTOH, I'm not sure that they could ever pay back the investment or the electricty costs. Lessee...$50,000 up front plus $1.00/customer average electricty cost. Nah, that ain't gonna happen. But if they charged, say $5.00 per charge or more, they could have something right there! Just think how that would boost LEAF sales!

 

[Phoenix]

But if they had solar canopies which generate electricity which utilities pay plus what patrons pay,
you may have a case for commercial viability. Isn't that the Tesla supercharger model?

 

[evnow]

But if they had solar canopies which generate electricity which utilities pay plus what patrons pay,
you may have a case for commercial viability. Isn't that the Tesla supercharger model?

I don't think that is the Tesla supercharger model. Their model is to sell cars @80k each.

When you run the numbers I don't see how any charging station is commercially viable at this time. There has to be a revenue stream elsewhere to offset charger costs.

 

[scottf200]

But if they had solar canopies which generate electricity which utilities pay plus what patrons pay, you may have a case for commercial viability. Isn't that the Tesla supercharger model?

I don't think that is the Tesla supercharger model. Their model is to sell cars @80k each.

August 2, 2006
The Secret Tesla Motors Master Plan (just between you and me)
By Elon Musk, Co-Founder & CEO of Tesla Motors
http://www.teslamotors.com/blog/secret-tesla-motors-master-plan-just-between-you-and-me" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

<snip>
Becoming Energy Positive
I should mention that Tesla Motors will be co-marketing sustainable energy products from other companies along with the car. For example, among other choices, we will be offering a modestly sized and priced solar panel from SolarCity, a photovoltaics company (where I am also the principal financier). This system can be installed on your roof in an out of the way location, because of its small size, or set up as a carport and will generate about 50 miles per day of electricity.

If you travel less than 350 miles per week, you will therefore be “energy positive” with respect to your personal transportation. This is a step beyond conserving or even nullifying your use of energy for transport – you will actually be putting more energy back into the system than you consume in transportation! So, in short, the master plan is:

1) Build sports car [Roadster]
2) Use that money to build an affordable car [Model S and X]
3) Use that money to build an even more affordable car [Bluestar http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla_BlueStar" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ]
4) While doing above, also provide zero emission electric power generation options [ http://www.teslamotors.com/supercharger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ]
Don't tell anyone.

 

[evnow]

1) Build sports car [Roadster]
2) Use that money to build an affordable car [Model S and X]

That hasn't exactly worked, right ? S & X are funded by investors, not Roadster sales.

 

[SanDust]

That hasn't exactly worked, right ? S & X are funded by investors, not Roadster sales.

Let's not forget the $465M DOE loan.

 

[scottf200]

1) Build sports car [Roadster]
2) Use that money to build an affordable car [Model S and X]

That hasn't exactly worked, right ? S & X are funded by investors, not Roadster sales.

I think the S and X will make them self-sustaining enough to do Bluestar tho. That was my main point. 2008-2010 was not the best economy either.

That hasn't exactly worked, right ? S & X are funded by investors, not Roadster sales.

Let's not forget the $465M DOE loan.

It is worthy when companies pay the loans back!
http://insideevs.com/tesla-says-it-plans-to-pay-off-doe-loans-5-years-early-in-2017-says-thanks-for-the-help/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After drawing down the last of a $465 million loan allotment from the Department of Energy in 2012, Tesla has now arranged a financing deal with the government that would see them pay off those loans five years early.

In a SEC filing on Thursday, Tesla says that the DoE agreed to adjust the terms of the arrangement, that would now see the electric car maker pay off their government loans in full by December of 2017. Five years ahead of the 2022 deadline.

 

[evnow]

1) Build sports car [Roadster]
2) Use that money to build an affordable car [Model S and X]

That hasn't exactly worked, right ? S & X are funded by investors, not Roadster sales.

I think the S and X will make them self-sustaining enough to do Bluestar tho. That was my main point. 2008-2010 was not the best economy either.

Who knows - Tesla seems to be preparing for another round of investment.

Ofcourse the hope is that Tesla finally becomes self sustaining.

Back to the point, charging infrastructure can't be its own profit center anytime soon.

 

[davidcary]

Boy, you guys are right about the OT...

You all know that Tesla superchargers are free, right? They are built with the money from car sales. I doubt it is the right model but who knows. People are okay paying for fuel - they have been doing that for years. The whole concept makes someone buying a car with no supercharger nearby a sucker..... Well just not really fair.

I think QCs at certain McDs make sense. Think of the $3 in profit from the meal also. If you can get 5 customers a day, that is $5k a year - more than enough to service the loan on a $50k investment.

I drive by the intersection of I-40 and I-95 on the way to the beach. Perfect spot for a QC at a McD's. Or a Tesla Supercharger....