Dubai, UAE — Nissan's global electric vehicle sales jumped 10% last fiscal year, driven by growing customer demand for the zero-emission Nissan LEAF, the world's best-selling EV.
The 100% electric car posted robust growth across all the major electric-vehicle markets – Japan, Europe and the U.S. – in the fiscal year that ended March 31.
Demand is expected to keep rising as customers embrace the new, second-generation Nissan LEAF, which offers increased range and new, advanced technologies. Sales of the redesigned model, introduced in October 2017, are gaining traction in Japan and the U.S. The all-new LEAF is set to go on sale in more new markets this fiscal year, including Latin America and the Asia & Oceania region.
"The strong performance of Nissan's EV models globally is a testimony to our expertise and leadership in electric vehicle technology," said Nissan Executive Vice President Daniele Schillaci, who heads the company's electric-vehicle business. "The unprecedented response to the most advanced electric car in the world, the Nissan LEAF, contributed significantly to the robust growth of Nissan in 2017. The Nissan LEAF is the best-selling electric car in the world, with the widest reach and the greatest availability. We expect its continuous leadership in 2018."
Customers bought 54,451 Nissan LEAFs in fiscal year 2017, a 15% increase from 47,423 a year earlier. Nissan has sold more than 320,000 LEAFs since the model was first introduced in 2010. It is now available in 51 markets worldwide.
"As the manufacturer of the world's most popular electric car, we are excited to showcase our expertise in the field, highlight our advanced technologies, and work with leaders to advance electrification of mobility in the region," said Kalyana Sivagnanam, President of Nissan Middle East and Regional Vice-President of Nissan in Africa, Middle East and India. "The Nissan LEAF was very well received by the audience from across the region at platforms where it was showcased. It is great to see optimism towards the vehicle as we strengthen our commitment to introducing the best-selling electric car to the Middle East."
The all-new Nissan LEAF comes with a host of advanced technologies and features, including ProPILOT autonomous driving technology (ProPILOT Assist in the U.S.), ProPILOT Park and e-Pedal, as well as increased power and range.
The new Nissan LEAF will soon be launched in Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Uruguay.
The new Nissan LEAF received a 5-star safety rating from the Japan New Car Assessment Program in February. The model's ProPILOT autonomous driving technology helped it score 94.8 points out of a possible 100 for occupant safety in a collision. Other features that contributed to the rating include its highly rigid body structure, six SRS airbags, seats with enforced headrests and back frames, and seat belts with pre-tensioners and load-limiting capabilities for the front and rear outboard seating positions.
The new Nissan LEAF was also named "2018 World Green Car" by the World Car Awards in March.
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About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2016, the company sold 5.63 million vehicles globally, generating revenues of 11.72 trillion yen. In fiscal 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30% increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen. As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500 and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999. In 2016, Nissan acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors. Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi is today the world's largest automotive partnership, with combined sales of more than 10.6 million vehicles in calendar year 2017.
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Media contacts
Mohammed Al Tawil
Deputy General Manager - Corporate Communications
Nissan Middle East FZE
Tel: +971 4 881 7500
Fax: +971 4 881 9747
E-mail: Mohammed.Tawil@nissan-me.ae
Karen Youssef
Edelman Middle East
Mobile: +971 56 508 7885
Email: Karen.Youssef@edelman.com
