Nissan to distribute Silence’s compact electric vehicles in Europe
Nissan will be responsible for the distribution of the entire Silence product portfolio in Europe. Starting from June 2024, the four-wheeled Silence S04 Nanocar light vehicle and the brand’s electric scooters will initially arrive at Nissan partners in France and Italy, followed by expansion into the German market in September. The Japanese car manufacturer intends to gradually introduce the associated financing, service and insurance options together with its dealerships.
Nissan hopes that the cooperation will strengthen its competitiveness and open up new customer segments. The aim is to tap into new sources of revenue, accelerate the transition to electric vehicles and cater to the diverse and changing needs of Nissan customers of today and tomorrow, according to the press release. And: “In addition to the launch of eleven new models, strategic partnerships with like-minded companies are at the heart of driving change and growth.”
The fact that Silence is one of several companies producing at the former Nissan plant in Barcelona is evidence of an existing connection between the two sides. The Japanese company ceased production there at the end of 2021 as planned. That was also when the last example of the Nissan e-NV200 electric van rolled off the production line.
“We believe the future is electric…but to make that future a reality, we have to do more to make it as inclusive as possible, available to all,” says Leon Dorssers, Nissan Manager for Marketing & Sales in Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania. “Through this significant new partnership with ACCIONA, we’re ensuring that many more people can experience the power and excitement of electric mobility and take the first step on their EV journey.”
“The needs of drivers in today’s towns and cities are changing – their commute, their attitudes to mobility, and what constitutes a realistic and efficient way for them to get around urban areas,” added Carlos Sotelo, CEO of ACCIONA’s mobility division and Silence. “To respond to this, we need to think smarter, smaller and lighter. Silence’s light electric vehicles (EV), partnered with Nissan’s strong distribution network, offers new, exciting, and clever options for urban mobility in Europe, shaping a more sustainable future.”
It is interesting to note that Acciona confirmed in September 2023 that it would rely on Astara as its distribution partner. After Belgium and Luxembourg, Germany was to be the third market in which Silence would handle sales via Astara. There is no information in the Nissan press release as to whether this partnership has been cancelled or whether the contracts may not be exclusive.
Silence offers the S01, S01+ and S02 electric scooters as well as the S04 four-wheeled L7e electric vehicle. The two-wheelers offer a range of over 130 kilometres with a portable battery pack, according to the manufacturer, while the two-seater Silence 04 combines two interchangeable batteries for almost 150 kilometres range.
Update 17 July 2024
Nissan will offer the Silence Nano S04 and e-motorcycles in the UK from October 2024. This comes after the partnership between the carmaker and ACCIONA’s car manufacturer Silence in France, Italy and Germany was deemed a success.
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