The New Nissan Leaf Production Slowed Down

AUTO: Hard blow for Nissan: the brand new Leaf, supposed to relaunch the manufacturer’s electric saga, is already hampered by some unforeseen events. No real technical problem, but a battery factory that can’t keep up.

The Nissan Leaf was to be a flagship model, capable of competing Tesla, BYD and the other leaders of the electric market, yet the reality of the supply chain is catching up with the manufacturer: the Tochigi factory, where the examples intended for Japan and the United States are manufactured, has seen its production reduced by half. This is not due to a lack of demand, but to a shortage of batteries, as reported by the Japanese press.

Production plans have been sharply reduced for September and October, several thousand fewer vehicles each month. At the same time, Nissan announced no less than 9,000 layoffs in the coming months, a sign that the manufacturer is bearing the brunt of this period of turbulence. Despite everything Nissan ensures that marketing remains planned by the end of the year, but the ultra-competitive EV market does not forgive any delays.

A stark reminder of the limits of electricity

This situation underlines a real reality of the sector: electrification does not only depend on technology, but also on the capacity to produce in volume. The Leaf, with its new platform and improved range, was to mark a turning point for Nissan.

With these delays and the drastic reduction in production in Tochigi, the brand must act quickly to secure its batteries and keep its promises. In a market where every month counts, every delay can be costly. In Europe, the Leaf will be assembled in the United Kingdom, in the historic factory Sunderland. Orders are not yet open on the Old Continent, and it remains to be seen whether Europe will also be affected by the production crisis Japan.