It seems that the key to the Nissan Leaf sales strategy in the US is still word of mouth marketing. An honest positive impression from a friend-owner will be far more effective in the decision making process than watching another stereotypical, bland manufacturer ad or presentation.
That’s what Nissan seems to have figured out and is now building on, as sales of its all-electric Leaf in the US pas the 50,000 mark – that and the fact that free charging is important. The milestone (now US-built) vehicle was delivered to a Texas family, where it’s used as a fourth car. It set a trend in the local church congregation, which went from no Leafs to twenty of them in a matter of months.
The owner of the US Leaf number 50,000, pastor Todd Bolt explained his decision to buy one: “Beyond the simple economics of not buying gas, we’ve been impressed with how well the LEAF drives. When we show the LEAF off to family and friends, they’re surprised that the car is so quiet and rides so well. The LEAF does everything we need day-to-day, and given the financial savings, I don’t know why we’d buy another gas car.”
By Andrei Nedelea
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