Published on May 3rd, 2010 | by Nick Chambers

Nissan LEAF Now Has More Than 8,000 Pre-Orders; On Track for 25,000 By Winter

According to a report from Reuters last week, in the first 9 days after the Nissan LEAF became available for pre-order, the company took 8,000 $99 refundable deposits from people hoping to own a piece of history and become pioneers in the next generation of vehicles. That’s almost 800,000 bucks backing up the position that the LEAF will see considerable success on the marketplace.

This follows on the heels of news that Nissan took 6,635 deposits for the LEAF in the first 36 hours of the reservation period.

Mark Perry, Nissan’s North America director of product planning and strategy, told Reuters, “We are on a double time march (for launch). We are on our way to have 25,000 firm orders by December.” According to Perry, this means that the LEAF will be capacity constrained — there won’t be enough to satisfy demand — for the first two years of on-sale. This capacity constraint should ease up after Nissan opens up their U.S.- and U.K.-based manufacturing facilities. All the early model LEAFs will be built in Japan.

Doing a bit of double checking on Mr. Perry’s estimates, if we subtract the 6,635 orders in the first 3 days of pre-orders from the approximately 8,000 within the first 9 days, that leaves roughly 1,400 orders in the second 6 days of the pre-order period… which is about 230 per day. Considering there are 250 days left in this year, that’s 57,500 more pre-orders if the current rate were to continue through December. So it appears Nissan is expecting the rate at which people are willing to plunk down $99 deposits to decrease to below 70 per day in pretty short order.

What do you think, is Nissan purposely underestimating LEAF numbers to be able to claim they’re way above their target come December? How many LEAFs do you think Nissan will have pre-ordered by December?

Source: Reuters

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Tags: LEAF, Mark Perry, Nissan, Nissan LEAF, pricing, Reservation

About the Author

Nick Chambers Not your traditional car guy.

Alex

I think that the number will surely grow, but 25K? I think that the rate is a downsloping curve. Sure, as more and more people become aware of the leaf there will be slightly more deposits. but the “hardcore” sector of buyers have already put down the $99 deposit and everyone else are “testing the waters” so to speak. i also wonder how many of these depositors are serious and how many will take their money and run when nissan comes to collect the rest…
Alex

I think that the number will surely grow, but 25K? I think that the rate is a downsloping curve. Sure, as more and more people become aware of the leaf there will be slightly more deposits. but the “hardcore” sector of buyers have already put down the $99 deposit and everyone else are “testing the waters” so to speak. i also wonder how many of these depositors are serious and how many will take their money and run when nissan comes to collect the rest…
Tracy Gourley

How come I’m not reading anything about Envision out of Ames, Iowa. They are going to be building their car here in Iowa before too long. 200 mile range and we already get to see the car on their website.

Thanks
Tracy Gourley

How come I’m not reading anything about Envision out of Ames, Iowa. They are going to be building their car here in Iowa before too long. 200 mile range and we already get to see the car on their website.

Thanks
http://hopetoprosper.com Bret

“i also wonder how many of these depositors are serious and how many will take their money and run when nissan comes to collect the rest…”

I have also been wondering the same thing. If Nissan and their dealers fulfill the Leaf orders for the $32K MSRP, they are going to convert a lot of these depositors. If they try to jerk people around or jack up the prices, they may lose a lot of these orders.

My sister wanted to buy a Prius two years ago, but the dealer charged a $5K premium. So, Toyota lost that sale. I hope Nissan doesn’t make that same mistake, because they will have some competition from Ford next year and people may choose to wait.
http://hopetoprosper.com Bret

“i also wonder how many of these depositors are serious and how many will take their money and run when nissan comes to collect the rest…”

I have also been wondering the same thing. If Nissan and their dealers fulfill the Leaf orders for the $32K MSRP, they are going to convert a lot of these depositors. If they try to jerk people around or jack up the prices, they may lose a lot of these orders.

My sister wanted to buy a Prius two years ago, but the dealer charged a $5K premium. So, Toyota lost that sale. I hope Nissan doesn’t make that same mistake, because they will have some competition from Ford next year and people may choose to wait.
curt

I’ve placed my order for one. Given that I mostly commute by motorcycle this would be a great fit as a second vehicle. I figure the 100 mile range being EV04 rated actually on the freeway is closer to 60 mile range, but since my work does have charging stations that’s fine too (would only commute in it when it rains).

For weekend trips to store and such, the car makes perfect sense.

Now, to get a solar system installed at home and I will be all set.
curt

I’ve placed my order for one. Given that I mostly commute by motorcycle this would be a great fit as a second vehicle. I figure the 100 mile range being EV04 rated actually on the freeway is closer to 60 mile range, but since my work does have charging stations that’s fine too (would only commute in it when it rains).

For weekend trips to store and such, the car makes perfect sense.

Now, to get a solar system installed at home and I will be all set.