Loan used to modify Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant for production in 2012

Today, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy has closed a $1.4 billion loan agreement with Nissan North America, Inc. The loan will support the modification of Nissans Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant to produce the Nissan LEAF, a zero-emission, all-electric vehicle, and the lithium-ion battery packs to power them.
The loan, which originated through the Departments loan guarantee program office, was issued as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a $25 billion program authorized by Congress as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The program is designed to accelerate the development of vehicles and technologies that increase U.S. energy independence, create cleaner means of transportation and stimulate the American economy. The loan was finalized after a rigorous financial and technical qualification process.
Nissan applauds the Department of Energys support of the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies and the creation of clean energy jobs, said Scott Becker, senior vice president, Administration and Finance, Nissan North America. Nissan is committed to zero-emission mobility. This loan, which will bring production of the Nissan LEAF to Tennessee, is a significant step in sustaining American jobs and American manufacturing.
The loan will result in the creation of up to 1,300 jobs when the plants are operating at full capacity. Modification of the Smyrna manufacturing plant, which will begin later this year, includes a new battery plant and changes in the existing structure for electric-vehicle assembly. When fully operational, the vehicle assembly plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 Nissan LEAF electric cars per year, and the new plant will have an annual capacity of 200,000 batteries.
Nissan, along with its Alliance partner, Renault, is the only automaker committed to mass marketing all-electric vehicles on a global scale. Nissan LEAF, a five-passenger sedan, will be available for private and fleet customers. It is being launched in the U.S., Japan and Europe in December 2010. Nissan has spearheaded a holistic approach to zero-emission mobility by working with states, municipalities, utility companies and other partners, to prepare markets and infrastructure. Nissan has formed more than a dozen partnerships in the United States, in markets including State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, N.C., and with Houston-based Reliant Energy.
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling. More information on the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car.

Contacts:
Katherine Zachary

Nissan North America, Inc.
katherine.zachary@nissan-usa.com

615-725-1447
Jeannine Ginivan

Nissan North America, Inc.
jeannine.ginivan@nissan-usa.com

703-350-6801

Weve driven test mules wearing both Cube and Versa sheet metal, but this latest announcement is the final step in turning an engineering project into a production car. The Leaf shares its general shape with the Versa hatchback, but is notably longer than that car. Cues are also borrowed from the Murano crossover and the Asian-market March subcompact. Nissans chief creative officer, Shiro Nakamura, says the car shown is almost identical to the production model that will arrive in the U.S.

Inside, the cabin has style at the top of the compact car segment. The two-tier instrument panel uses digital screens rather than traditional gauges. A gloss black surround and sleek flush-mounted buttons accent the navigation system in the light interior. The traditional shift lever is replaced by a small knob that is pushed forward or back to select drive or reverse.

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To aid drivers in making the transition from gas vehicles to range-limited electrics, Nissan will connect the Leaf with drivers through their phones. Using that system, consumers would be able to check the battery charge or turn on the climate control several minutes before getting into their car. By cooling or heating the vehicle while it is still plugged in, drivers can conserve the battery charge to ensure they get the best range. Leaf drivers will also have the option to equip their car with a small solar panel on the rear spoiler to power some accessories when parked.

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