Nissan LEAF offline event at Oppama Plant

Today is a very special day… for all of us at Nissan… for everyone who has eagerly awaited zero-emission mobility… and for society’s hope for a cleaner future.

The launch of Nissan LEAF, the world’s first mass-market, affordable zero-emission electric car, is a true transportation breakthrough.

Nissan has been working toward this day for many years. We have spent 80 years honing our skills in mass-production and flexible manufacturing…18 years developing lithium ion batteries technologies… and the past three years working on our commitment to deliver on electric car to market..

To our employees, thank you for everything you have done to bring us to this point: the first day in a new era of sustainable mobility.

Over the past two years, we have forged partnerships with more than 80 governments and cities worldwide to advance the deployment of electric vehicles. Test drives and tours have been building excitement. Customers are engaged… markets are ready…and, thanks to your efforts, Nissan LEAF is now in production.

Nissan LEAF uses many all-new parts and components made in this region – with lithium-ion batteries produced by AESC in Zama… inverters produced in Zama and by Calsonic Kansei in Kodama… and powerful motors made in our Yokohama Plant. We celebrate this milestone with these colleagues.

The Oppama Plant will serve as the mother plant for pure electric cars in our global production network. For the first time we are producing Electric Vehicles and gasolline-powered vehicles in the same line, which illustrates the strength of Nissan’s flexible manufacturing. Oppama will also contribute to the start of production at the U.S. Smyrna Plant in 2012 and at the U.K. Sunderland Plant in 2013. Together, we will have the capacity to produce 250,000 electric cars a year.

I would like to extend my appreciation to our supporters from Atsugi, Isehara, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Zama, and the entire Kanagawa Prefecture. With combined efforts from this region, we take the very first step in mass-production of electric cars globally. We respectfully ask for your continuing cooperation.

I am proud that the Alliance is leading the way to sustainable mobility. And I count on all of you to do your very best to make Nissan LEAF the car that our customers and our environment deserve it to be.

Thank you, Oppama Plant. Gambatte ikimasyou!

by Carlos Ghosn, www.alliance-renault-nissan.com