Dongfeng Nissan JV to import e-car LEAF to China in 2011

Shanghai, April 6 (Gasgoo.com) Recently, Ren Yong, vice manager of Dongfeng Nissan JV, said the company will produce the Nissan electric car in 2011 and is planning to first launch it in Europe, North America and other markets gradually this year. It said the first electric car Nissan will import to China is LEAF, as the first economical compact electric car globally. Besides, the five-seat Leaf cars, driven by the laminated lithium-ion batteries, with a 160 km cruise mileage, will be launched in Japan, the United States and Europe in the second half of 2010. The car is expected to be launched first in Guangzhou city, Guangdong province and Wuhan city, Hubei province in China.

At present, Dongfeng Nissan has started the launch preparation in Wuhan and Guangzhou. On March 25, Nissan-Renault alliance has signed a further agreement with the Wuhan municipal government in Yokohama Japan on the promotion of the electric vehicles. Nishikawa Mola, Executive Vice President of Nissan said: ”We have signed cooperation agreements with more than 50 countries, regions and organizations on the joint promotion of the electric vehicle development and this is the first cooperation agreement of this kind we have signed in China, as an international brand. “

According to the agreement, the two sides will start the market research for the promotion of 25 sets of Nissan electric cars in Wuhan in 2011. For this reason, the Wuhan municipal government has planned to build 250 charging devices in the next two years to ensure a successful operation. Two quick charging devices will also be built in two designated areas in Wuhan. Additionally, the two sides will conduct cooperation for the promotion of the electric vehicles for the mass market.