South America: Nissan launches Leaf in 4 markets

Nissan is starting sales of the Leaf in the four largest South American markets: the electric model is now available with the 40 kWh battery in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Colombia.

Nissan also plans to offer the Leaf in Costa Rica, Ecuador, Puerto Rico and Uruguay later this year. This will continue to expand the availability of the already popular Japanese electric car around the globe. According to the press release, more than 400,000 units of the Leaf have been sold since its introduction in 2010.

Nissan LEAF offers a 40 kWh li-ion battery with a WLTP range of 389 km (270 km in combined cycle), a 110 kW output (147 hp) and 320 Nm torque.

Apparently Nissan believes that now is the time to invest in electric transport in South America; “Latin America’s accelerating development and growth require safe, intelligent and sustainable mobility solutions,” said Guy Rodriguez, chairman of Nissan Latin America. Nissan also recently announced that the Leaf would also be offered in Indonesia and the Philippines by next year, after the electric model had already been launched this year in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

South America and South-east Asia are not the only markets Nissan is moving on, however, as it was recently revealed that Nissan and Dongfeng are in talks with Didi Chuxing to establish a joint venture in China to supply Didi’s ride-hailing and car-sharing services, as well as help Nissan meet China’s strict NEV production quotas.

nissan-global.com, nissannews.com (in Spanish)