TonyWilliams
Well-known member
Valdemar said:If their promises come to life [to install 400 more Nissan branded DC chargers in the USA], Nissan will be so much ahead in the lower-priced EV segment, the competition, if there will be any, is going to struggle to catch up.
The only real competition that Nissan has to worry about within California (the largest EV market by far) is with the low ball*** compliance cars. Therefore, I suggest Nissan market a "California Edition" LEAF for $23,999 (or whatever price beats all the others). Eliminate the battery heaters!!! Cheap or no radio!!! No hubcaps!!! No underbody panels!! No power windows / mirrors / door locks!!! No roadside assistance!!! No free battery checks!!! No towing!!! No nothing!!!
Nissan will still be able to sell those CARB credits (Tesla made $63 million doing just that) and every lease still gets a wonderful $7500 pay check from Uncle Sam at tax time. This will boost total production and squeeze the compliance guys who really don't care to even be in the EV business. For instance, if Toyota can't unload 2600 Rav4 EV's, they are going to write a big check to either Tesla or Nissan for their excess credits. Same for GM with their Spark EV compliance car.
Nissan still can come out in 2014 model year (about the same time the Spark EV actually hits the street) with a price below Spark EV, Fiat 500e, Smart ED and Mitusubishi iMiev.
*** low ball, meaning that each manufacturer is no doubt losing money on these, but must produce them at a price that will sell the required number of CARB credits in phase III (2012-2014)