Almost two years ago, Nissan Motors Chief Executive Officer, Carlos Ghosn confirmed the company's plans of introducing four 100% electric vehicles in the American automobile market. One of the four models is Nissan LEAF; an all-electric model that has already created waves across the U.S. with exemplary sales of over 20,000 units in one year.
The Japan-based automotive giant has also expressed its desire to launch an electric infinity sedan which is based on the LEAF and a small all-electric van that is expected to be sold as a commercial vehicle or a taxi. However, plans about the fourth all-electric vehicle remained under covers for a long time.
However, recent reports have revealed that the company is in the process weighing several alternatives as to which model will be the fourth electric vehicle for the American car market. Company insiders have confirmed that the Japanese car brand has short-listed three possibilities.
The first possibility for the fourth all-electric vehicle for the U.S. auto market is a small city car, petite in comparison to the entry-level Nissan Versa, however, bigger than a Smart car. Nissan is reportedly working on the development of a Smart car for Daimler AG, but there are no plans to design a Nissan version of the Smart car, as per company officials.
An electric sports car is the second candidate for the fourth electric vehicle from Nissan in America. During the Geneva Auto Show in March, the company unveiled an electric sports car which was called the Esflow Concept car. With the all-electric sports car, Nissan Motors ensures to establish a popular electric vehicle market.
The third option is a crossover electric concept which was showcased as the Townpod EV Concept at the Tokyo Motor Show during November this year. Townpod EV Concept was first seen in 2010 during the Paris Auto Show and is a compact minivan that provides sufficient cargo room and easily accessible wide swinging doors. According to American automobile experts, the electric minivan is an option which befits the consumer preferences in America.
According to Nissan Motor Co., Executive Vice-President for Vehicle Planning and Program Management, Andy Palmer, “It will be a city car. It will be in the A/B segment. The car would have to be low-cost. It would be a vehicle where you could potentially accept less range, so you could have a smaller battery. And that would bring the price down.”
However, the car maker has yet to confirm the fourth all-electric vehicle it has planned for the American auto market. Thus, out of the three possibilities- the sports car, crossover electric vehicle and small city car- Nissan Motors is expected to come out with the final decision soon.
