New 2013 Nissan LEAF Calls America Home

MILWAUKEE, WIS. (02/06/2013)(readMedia)-- Nissan has found a way to make its all-electric LEAF more affordable, and the solution may be surprising: it has brought production to America. The Japanese automaker has started manufacturing the Nissan LEAF at its Smyrna, Tenn., assembly plant, using existing equipment to improve efficiency while simultaneously reducing costs for the consumer. When it goes on sale this month, a new entry-level 2013 Nissan LEAF S trim will carry an MSRP of just $28,800, which is 18 percent less than the price of the base 2012 model.

While the LEAF will be produced alongside traditional vehicles like the Nissan Altima and Maxima, its advanced lithium-ion battery pack will be manufactured at an adjacent building. Nissan is the only automaker to make its own electric-vehicle batteries, and the facility is the largest of its kind in the United States. The company says it will be able to build as many as 150,000 LEAFs annually.

"It is Nissan's goal to see that 85 percent of its vehicles sold at U.S. dealerships are built in North America by 2015, and moving LEAF production stateside is one of many steps being taken to meet that challenge," said Jeff Rosen, general manager of Rosen Nissan Milwaukee, a Wisconsin Nissan dealer. "We hear a lot about outsourcing jobs, but Nissan has seen that America can build the best products, and it wants nothing but the best for its vehicles as well."

The LEAF wasn't the only Nissan model making moves in America in January, as the Nissan Resonance concept crossover took to the stage at the Detroit Auto Show. Featuring an advanced hybrid drivetrain and a flowing exterior that is designed to cheat the wind, the bright-orange concept vehicle could point to the look and feel of future Nissan crossovers and SUVs.

With its one-motor, two-clutch hybrid system, the Resonance concept crossover is equipped to provide ample performance on the street while remaining eco-friendly. Nissan says the concept model follows in the footsteps of its other innovative crossovers, including the Murano, Rogue and Juke.

"Nissan has always been a leader in crossover design, and that expertise is evident from the auto show stage to the showroom floor," added Rosen. "Whether you're looking at the Juke, Pathfinder, Rogue or Murano, there's nothing else on the market that performs like Nissan's crossovers and SUVs, and the Resonance concept shows that future models will continue to be a step ahead in their segments."

About Rosen Nissan Milwaukee:

Part of the Rosen Motors Group, Rosen Nissan Milwaukee is home to a personable and experienced sales staff that is dedicated to finding each customer's ideal new, used or certified pre-owned Nissan. Wisconsin Nissan drivers can also depend on the dealership's factory-trained technicians to keep their vehicle running smoothly, whether they need scheduled maintenance or a serious repair. View Rosen Nissan's entire inventory online at www.rosennissan.com or call 414-239-9306 to schedule a test-drive from their location at 5505 South 27th St. in Milwaukee. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RosenNissanKia.