When’s the new Nissan Leaf due in New Zealand?

The new Nissan Leaf is expected to arrive in Australia in late 2018, which gives an indication of when it could come here.

“Generally, we’re in line with Australia,” Nissan New Zealand managing director John Manley says.

The new Leaf goes on sale in Japan on October 2, and starts deliveries elsewhere in January.

Manley says the roll out is usually Japan first, followed by the USA and Europe.

“New Zealand is a very small market and we have to wait our turn,” he says.

“We’d love to see it here.”

Manley is visiting Australia shortly and expects to learn more about Nissan’s intentions for the new Leaf while there.

Meanwhile, Nissan has just marked a global milestone with the production of its 150 millionth vehicle, and says the Leaf is critical in helping it towards the next 150 million.

Australia has contributed to producing over 1.6 million of these vehicles, including 806,432 of the 50 million cars sold since the start of 2005.

When Nissan manufactured vehicles there, 213,472 rolled off Australian production lines, but the skills, productivity and quality of its operations are still highlighted today, thanks to the parts manufactured at the Nissan Casting Plant in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs.

The global economies of scale, and its alliance synergies mean that Nissan can continue to invest, assemble and manufacture new and existing products and parts in countries like Australia.

“The Dandenong manufacturing plant produces over 2.5 million die-cast aluminium parts and 16,000 tow bars yearly, with an approximate export sales value of over $82 million annually,” Nissan Casting Plant managing director Peter Jones says.

“We also manufacture parts that are fitted to the new second-generation Nissan Leaf and other nameplates globally.”

The second-generation Nissan Leaf combines a greater range (stated as 150 miles EPA, or about 240km-250km real-world driving range) with a dynamic new design and advanced technologies.
“The new Nissan Leaf drives Nissan Intelligent Mobility, which is the core brand strategy for Nissan’s future,” Nissan president and chief executive officer Hiroto Saikawa says.

“The new Nissan Leaf, with its improved autonomy range, combined with the evolution of autonomous drive technology, such as ProPilot Park, and the simple operation of the e-Pedal, strengthens Nissan’s EV leadership, as well as the expansion of EVs globally. It also has core strengths that will be embodied by future Nissan models.”

The new e-powertrain has 110kW of power output and 320Nm of torque

Nissan will also offer a higher power, longer range version at a higher price next year (timing may vary by market).