Promoting the Leaf

[RegulusBlack]

I read a story about a guy who made a movie about electric cars. He said you don't promote electric cars by saying they are good for the environment or by saying they save money. He said you promote electric cars by saying they are fun to drive and they bring joy into your life. I thought about that. What could Nissan do to make the Leaf stand out? I know the Mini Cooper has more than one color. It may be red with white racing stripes and a white top. I personally like the English luxury cars that have a second color. It may be a side panel or it could be the engine hood. What I would like to see Nissan do is get creative with the exterior paint job. I know it would be more expensive but I think it should be available at least as an option. The car should be about fun and joy and the great paint job would say that.

 

[DanCar]

Add a thermal management system (TMS) so battery doesn't degrade in the heat.

 

[mbender]

What could Nissan do to make the Leaf stand out?

What they could do is hire professionals like the filmmaker you refer to (Chris Paine, probably) and other "marketing types" who know what to do, listen to them, and then do it. I think Nissan knows what to do but is reluctant, partly because they are still so invested in the gas-guzzler business. Tesla knows what to do and is not reluctant, largely because they do not also sell gas-guzzlers. (Ironically, Nissan is likely benefiting from all of Tesla's good press.)

There are far more compelling reasons to go electric than are widely known, let alone marketed. And personally, I think improved cosmetics will only go so far.

 

[RegulusBlack]

I have read on this forum that green should be considered for an exterior color for the car. I would like to see a Leaf with Hunter Green exterior. It is a dark rich green. It goes really well with a chocolate brown interior, chocolate brown leather seats. Thanks.

 

[pcarlson79]

I couldn't agree more... this is why I made 2 Nissan LEAF commercials using my LEAF


Version 1
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woZRImz1YkU[/youtube]

Version 2
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIwwd4zNqz4[/youtube]

 

[apvbguy]

I have read on this forum that green should be considered for an exterior color for the car. I would like to see a Leaf with Hunter Green exterior. It is a dark rich green. It goes really well with a chocolate brown interior, chocolate brown leather seats. Thanks.

another option is british racing green
look at this example

 

[ksnogas2112]

I couldn't agree more... this is why I made 2 Nissan LEAF commercials using my LEAF

+1 luv the EV not SUV

 

[adric22]

I've been saying this for 2 years now. the "green" message only appeals to a very niche crowd. In fact, it actually goes so far as to repel potential buyers who don't want to be associated with that.

Take this poll for example:
http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?775-Why-do-you-want-a-plug-in-Volt&highlight=plug+volt" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Here's the numbers if you don't want to jump over there:

• 11% - Environmental - I think the Volt will help save the environment.
• 34% - Patriotic - We need to get off the addiction to foreign oil.
• 23% - Financial - $4 a gallon gas is killing me. I need cheaper transportation.
• 24% - Cool Factor - I’m an early adopter and this car is cool.
• 8% - Other

Think about it. 11% bought for environmental reasons, 89% bought for some other reason. I've noticed several of these polls over the last year and the percentage of environmental buyers is shrinking. What does that tell me? It is important to realize that these polls are generally people who already own such a car. So that means most of the people who buy to save the environment have already bought one. Now we're starting to bring in buyers for more mainstream reasons. I believe that ultimately less than 1% of EV buyers will be environmentally motivated.

However, the electric car has been thought of as a "save the environment" thing for so long, this is what I suspect happens with the companies that make them. They call up their marketing department (or whatever company makes ads for them) and say they have this product and we need an ad. Now, it is likely that none of the people making the ad own an electric car or plan to own one. So they assume, like everyone else, that an electric car is all about being green. So naturally, they make an ad about the car being green.

So yeah - All of these manufacturers need to get off the green bandwagon and start promoting these cars to the people who are likely to buy them: Geeks, penny pinchers, and patriots. Tesla has done an excellent job of changing people's minds about what an EV is all about. Its rare that you hear them preach about environmental issues. I believe that trend will continue.

 

[ERG4ALL]

There are many reasons to promote the LEAF and EVs in general. Here are some suggestions that I found useful in discussions with people:

1. Powering the Dream "The History and Promise of Green Technology" by Alexis Madrigal http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...he+dream&sprefix=Powering+the+,stripbooks,348

2. Freedom from Oil "How the Next President Can End the United States' Oil Addiction" by David Sandalow http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...eedom+from+oil&rh=n:283155,k:freedom+from+oil

3. Why We Hate the Oil Companies "Straight Talk from an Energy Insider" by John Hofmeister, former President, Shell Oil Company http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...s&rh=n:283155,k:why+we+hate+the+oil+companies

4. Power Trip "The Story of America's Love Affair With Energy" by Amanda Little http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...ks,287&rh=n:283155,k:power+trip+amanda+little

5. Bottled Lightning "Super Batteries, Electric Cars, and the New Lithium Economy" by Seth Fletcher http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...ripbooks,287&rh=n:283155,k:bottled+lightining

 

[TomT]

I concur. This argument will not sell EVs to the masses...

I've been saying this for 2 years now. the "green" message only appeals to a very niche crowd. In fact, it actually goes so far as to repel potential buyers who don't want to be associated with that.

 

[gsleaf]

Step 1 needs to be making the battery not melt in the heat. If they don't do this all the negative publicity from melted batteries is going to ruin any goodwill Nissan can build in cooler climates.

 

[braineo]

start promoting these cars to the people who are likely to buy them: Geeks, penny pinchers, and patriots. Tesla has done an excellent job of changing people's minds about what an EV is all about.

Wow! .... geek (early adopter) , penny pincher (call me frugal) and patriot (no oil for you!).

Yes!

I'm also addicted to my Leaf.

And yes - when I look into a mirror from my Leaf I do see a Tesla!