Recharge Wrap-up: Nissan Leaf earns IHS Loyalty Award, people actually care about the environment
Mon, Feb 9 2015
The Nissan Leaf has earned the IHS Automotive Loyalty Award. It won the award for best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car, and it is the only plug-in vehicle to earn the Loyalty Award. IHS Automotive analyzes loyalty and gives the award for vehicles that bring households back to buy the same make or model. "Our Leaf fans are some of the most loyal customers in the world, and we're thrilled to see that validated with this IHS award," says Toby Perry, marketing director for the Nissan Leaf. Read more at Hybrid Cars or in the press release below.
A new study shows that environmental benefits could be more influential than money when purchasing EVs. The study, called "Altruism, Self-Interest, and Energy Consumption," found that subjects conserved more energy when reminded that it helps air pollution than when they were only told it would save them money. This is despite more subjects saying that they thought messages about money would be more influential at the beginning of the study. Researchers attributed the results to the dual benefit of clean air to oneself and to others. See the study at the PNAS website and read more at Green Car Reports.
Group Bollore will receive government backing to build a nationwide EV charging network in France. The French conglomerate will spend $172 million to build 16,000 semi-fast chargers over the next four years. "Wherever you are on the map there will be at least one recharging point every 40 kilometres (25 miles)," says Bollore. The network will also provide wifi hotspots and carpooling services. Bollore's Blue Solutions division also already operates EV carsharing services and is working with Renault to build EVs in France. Read more at Reuters.
Nissan LEAF only plug-in vehicle to receive 2014 IHS Automotive Loyalty Award
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Following a record-breaking sales year in 2014, the Nissan LEAF continues to earn praise and was named the best Non-Luxury Traditional Compact Car in the annual IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards. The all-electric LEAF – the only plug-in vehicle to be included in the IHS Awards – received this honor during the Automotive News World Congress at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The IHS Automotive Loyalty Awards are presented annually to automakers and brands that demonstrate a manufacturer's ability to retain owners over repeat buying cycles. They are the only fact-based awards of their kind in the industry.
Nissan, the world leader in electric vehicle sales, shattered the plug-in vehicle sales record with 30,200 LEAF vehicles sold in the U.S. in 2014, marking the first time any plug-in has sold more than 30,000 units in a single year.
"Since entering the market in 2010, the Nissan LEAF has steadily gained supporters throughout the U.S.," said Toby Perry, director of marketing for Nissan LEAF. "While the majority of original buyers were electric vehicle enthusiasts, we're now seeing more and more 'regular' car buyers fall in love with LEAF because of its many financial benefits, fun-to-drive nature and roomy interior. Our LEAF fans are some of the most loyal customers in the world, and we're thrilled to see that validated with this IHS award."
With seating for up to five passengers, the all-electric Nissan LEAF boasts an EPA-estimated* driving range of 84 miles and MPGe ratings of 126 city, 101 highway and 114 combined.
The starting price of a Nissan LEAF is about $22,000** after the available maximum $7,500 federal tax credit, and LEAF offers the benefits of lower running costs and less scheduled maintenance. LEAF offers a wide range of standard equipment plus a variety of available premium features such as leather seats, 17-inch alloy wheels and 7-speaker BOSE® energy efficient audio system.
IHS Automotive analyzes loyalty throughout the year and regularly works with its customers to effectively manage owner loyalty and conquest efforts through in-depth research and analysis of automotive shopping behaviors, related market influencers and conquest and retention strategies. Loyalty is determined when a household that owns a new vehicle returns to market and purchases or leases another new vehicle of the same make, model or manufacturer.
To view the complete list of IHS Automotive Loyalty Award winners, please visit press.ihs.com.
By John Beltz Snyder
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