Nissan-Dongfeng's Leaf-based Venucia e30 EV goes on sale in China
The companies certainly tested the model enough, very quietly running 300 trial vehicles a combined three million miles on China's roads. The result is a vehicle the companies say reduces operating costs by about 85 percent relative to gas-powered vehicles and can go 35 miles on a five-minute quick-charge. In China, the Venucia e30 retails for about $44,000, though that's before government incentives kick in. The car will debut with sales in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dalian, Wuhan, Tianjin, Zhengzhou and Hangzhou. The rest of the country gets access to the model next year.
Nissan and its Chinese partner are probably hoping for the kind of success Nissan's has finally started to have with the Leaf in the US recently. Last month, Nissan moved 3,186 Leaf vehicles Stateside, a monthly record. Year-to-date US sales of the Leaf are up 34 percent from last year to 18,841 units. You can find more info on the e30 in Nissan's press release below. Show full PR text DONGFENG NISSAN LAUNCHES ITS FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC VEHICLE
- Venucia `e30' offers trusted, affordable, pure EV experience for Chinese consumers -
SHANGHAI, China (September 10, 2014) - Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company (DFL-PV) today launches its first pure-electric vehicle model, "e30," from its local Venucia brand. With a five million kilometer pilot run across China completed prior to launch, e30 is trusted to bring Chinese consumers an enjoyable EV experience at affordable running costs. Its starting price is set at RMB 267,800
Venucia e30
Jun Seki, President of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL), Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd., said, "With Nissan Global's advanced technology, sales experience and know-how of electric vehicle, the Venucia e30 has been locally developed through our careful studies about market situations and consumer needs in China. I am looking forward to seeing the Venucia e30 lead China's electric-vehicle market into the future and also to more development of new energy vehicles and the wide adoption of electric vehicles in China."
e30 achieves an optimal balance between driving range, affordability and convenient charging. Running costs for e30 are only about one-seventh of gasoline models of the same grade in China, thanks to e30's energy consumption at only 0.146kWh/km. Both normal-charge and quick-charge options are available for e30, and can run about 60km on a quick-charge of only five minutes. The quality and safety of e30 have been validated by the five million kilometer failure-free pilot program, accumulated by more than 300 cars on the roads of Guangzhou, Xiangyang and Dalian.
"With the support from the local governments, local authorities, utility networks and many other stakeholders, we are poised to promote the use of electric vehicles across China for a more sustainable society," said DFL-PV Managing Director Susumu Uchikoshi. "We believe that e30 will be the choice of many Chinese consumers."
The e30 is eligible for a purchase tax exemption as part of the Chinese government's support for developing new energy vehicles. The new electric vehicle will initially be launched in nine Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dalian, Wuhan, Tianjin, Zhengzhou and Hangzhou – and is expected to be available nationwide in 2015.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history, with almost 50 percent share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
About Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company (DFL-PV)
Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company (DFL-PV) is a business unit of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. (DFL), Nissan's joint venture with Dongfeng Motor Group Co., Ltd. DFL-PV is engaged in research and development operations, manufacturing and distribution of passenger vehicles.
The brand name Venucia is derived from the ancient Roman "Venus." The five stars of the brand logo represent the company's five brand promises – respect customers, create value, do the best, achieve world-class quality and seek the dream. Source
