Recently Nissan has announced huge discounts off the lease buyout of the 2011-2013 Nissan LEAFs. The amounts range from a few thousand to several thousand.
This is great news but I have to say I am a bit surprised at some of the reaction from the EV community. Now, I do realize that no matter what the subject is, there will always be a complete spectrum of reactions to that subject but it seems everyone has missed the biggest one.
A lot of comments were aimed at Nissan trying to scramble to cover the anticipated large number of lease returns. With a longer range LEAF just around the corner, the motivation to keep the older LEAFs will be affected as one would expect. So they threw out this seemingly desperation move to help stem the tide of returns. Not sure I see it that way.
Would it play better if Nissan pitched it as "Buy your leased vehicle and receive a free replacement battery!"
I, for one would not like it at all. For me, I would say "Give me the CASH! I will decide when and from whom, I will buy that battery from"
Remember; Nissan tried to do a battery leasing program that was completely destroyed in the online community. It was not a bad plan at all. It was a way to have a range guarantee without a large output of cash. I did the math. Most people would be paying about the same money either way. Whether it was plop down $5400 now, or pay $100 a month. The costs after financing were nearly identical. But because of the reaction, we never did get any details of how Nissan planned to handle the extremes of drivers; the lightly used LEAFs and the road warriors. I am guessing both of these would have made out even better.
What I do see is Nissan giving the owner another option. Take the savings now, then decide when you want to pay for the replacement battery. I speculated in a previous blog that I anticipate a $1500 reduction in battery pack costs along with increased range by 2017. Take the cash discount, bank it and use it to buy your battery. I am guessing that you might find you have to contribute very little to that fund when you do purchase.
My guess is most who use this might buy the discounted vehicle. There is no "cash" to be had otherwise that I can see here. This would be a great opportunity to buy and transfer a loved Leaf to a friend or relative.
ReplyDeleteAlready know one person who bought a used LEAF cheap for his brother who had much less means than he did and just wanted to help him out!
DeleteI hope Nissan gives a similar discount when the lease on my 2014 Leaf is up.
ReplyDeleteHard to say and since your lease is later, its really possible that any discount won't be enough to overcome the allure of the newer models. Now, if you have very modest driving needs and that longer range is not an attraction for you, it would be a totally different story. Remember, if the deal is not offered or very good, you can turn it in and looked at the used LEAF market.
DeleteWith the 30 Kwh LEAFs coming out in a month, it looks like Nissan will be offering discounts for purchase of all leases for MY thru 2015. Otherwise lease returns are sure to be 100%
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