Throwback Thursday: Holiday Playlist Edition

Get ready, Christmas is only a few days away! With the holiday just around the corner, we decided to add a little holiday flair to this week's Throwback Thursday post. While scouring the interwebs for some holiday cheer, we stumbled upon this great Spotify playlist by Mariah Carey to help get you in the Christmas spirit. If you are looking to liven up your office or commute, try out some of these classic holiday hits. What are some of your favorite holiday songs?     If you still have car shopping on your holiday to-do list, be sure to stop by our Fayetteville dealership and take a new car for a test drive.    Happy Holidays!

Holiday Poll: Favorite Christmas Activities

The holiday season is in full swing. From houses decorated with beautiful lights to countless people filling the shops, finishing up their search for the perfect gift, it's time to get in the Christmas spirit. What is your favorite holiday activity? Cast your vote in the poll below.

If buying a new car is on your shopping list, be sure to stop by our Nissan dealership for a test drive!

What is your favorite holiday activity?

Playing in the snow

Putting up Christmas lights

Wrapping presents

Caroling

other

make a poll

Six Helpful Tips for Driving in the Snow

The temps are falling fast and that means winter is upon us. While the snow and colder weather can produce some amazing scenery, trying to drive in snowy conditions can be quite dangerous. To help make sure you stay safe on the road, here are six helpful driving tips.

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• The normal following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

If you're planning to go on a long road trip, we also recommend bringing in your vehicle for a tuneup a week before you leave. You can visit our website and schedule a service appointment online!

How to Find the Perfect Car for You

Trying to find the perfect car for you can sometimes feel like an insurmountable task. From endless options to financial concerns, there are many things to consider when buying a new car. To help you find the right car to fit your needs, here are three questions to ask yourself before deciding on your next new car:

• How much car can you afford? - It's a good idea to determine your budget ahead of time, this will go a long way in ensuring negotiations run smoothly.
• Have you considered all of the costs of ownership? - While a car may be cheaper to buy, it's numerous maintenance and repair costs could make it more expensive in the long run.
• Did you test drive it properly? When you test drive your prospective new car, be sure to drive it like you would during your daily commute.

Answering these questions will certainly help during your next car-buying experience. If you're looking for a new car, stop by and take Nissan for a test drive today!

Grocery Shopping Will Never Be the Same

Grocery shopping. It's on everyone's to-do list and, at times, it can get pretty monotonous. While heading to the local supermarket can be described as less than glamorous, driving in the new 2014 Pathfinder can certainly make your trips more enjoyable.

With amazing features such as a dual panorama moonroof and the EZ Flex Seating System, this Nissan SUV has everything you need to tackle your to-do list. If you have a large pile of groceries, don't worry. The Pathfinder's 16 cubic feet of cargo space will give you room to spare. And dropping the 2nd- and 3rd rows give you a virtually flat space with 79.8 cubic feet of cargo for your seriously large grocery loads.

So the next time you're looking to upgrade your vehicle, stop by our Nissan dealership and take a new Pathfinder for a test drive!

Why the 370Z Coupe is Worthy of a Test Drive

When you're searching for a new car, the test drive is a vital part of the decision-making process. Getting behind the wheel lets you get a feel for how the car handles and experience all the features at length. While there are a number of Nissan models available for a test drive, here are three reasons why we think the 370Z is certainly worth a spin.

• A Driver Seat or a Cockpit? - The 370Z uses a three-layer design philosophy that makes you feel completely connected the instant you sit down. This interior would even make Maverick jealous.
• Room to Spare. - The cargo area has plenty of space for the important things in your life—like golf clubs, tools or camping gear. There's also an available retractable cargo cover to help keep things secure and out of sight.
• Fast and Furious. - The 370Z is powered by a 332-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 engine that offers a quicker response and optimal fuel efficiency. In other words, it's fast!

The next time you're out car shopping, remember to stop by our Nissan dealership and take a new 370Z for a test drive. You won't be disappointed! 

A Road that Will Frighten Even the Toughest Drivers

Halloween is just around the corner and we're definitely getting in the spirit. As the holiday approaches, we got to thinking about roads that can put a scare in even the toughest of drivers.

From frightening hairpin turns to terrifying cliff edges, there are plenty of roads that would send shivers down anyone's spine. But what road is the scariest?

Our internet search uncovered many suitable nominees, but our vote definitely goes to Yungas Road in Bolivia. This terrifying road  is split into North and South sections and runs from La Paz to Coroico in western Bolivia. Yungas Road has even earned the nickname "the Road of Death" because of its nearly 2,000-foot drops without guardrails! The road ranges in elevation from 4,000 feet to more than 15,000 feet and is as narrow as 10 feet in some sections.

We don't know about you, but we think this dangerous roadway is certainly eligible for scariest road in the world! Yungas Road is definitely not to be traveled by the faint of heart.

While driving on Yungas Road can be a bit unnerving, buying a new car doesn't have to be a frightening experience. Stop by our Nissan dealership and take a new car for a test drive today!

Stuck in Traffic? Play Name that Tune!

It's Friday, so many of us are anxiously staring at the clock. The weekend is within sight and there's only one thing that can ruin the end of a long work week.

Sitting in traffic.

Slowly rolling down the crowded road for what seems like an eternity can put a damper on  anyone's mood. It's an experience that we aim to avoid, but if you ever find yourself stuck in traffic, we recommend playing "Name that Tune."

Name that tune is a classic game that can help save you and your friends from boredom during traffic jams. To start, have one person be the band leader. That person chooses a song and begins to hum a verse or the chorus.

The other players will yell out their guesses and the band leader stops humming once the correct answer has been given. If no one guesses the song after more than a minute of humming, the band leader is declared the winner and chooses a new song. If two people guess correctly at the same time, break the tie by having each player sing the lyrics. Whoever is closest with the correct lyrics wins.

Give it a try! If you want to avoid traffic a different way, you can stop by the Fayetteville dealership and take a new Nissan for a test drive. We're here to help!

Video: 2014 Nissan Rogue

If you're looking for a new Nissan, we recommend taking a closer look at the 2014 Nissan Rogue. With features like Aluminum-alloy wheels and a 6-way power driver seat, this Nissan is a great choice for anyone looking for a new car. Be sure to watch this video for more information and highlights on the 2014 Rogue.

To take a Rogue for a test drive, please visit our Nissan dealership in Fayetteville, NC today. We're here to help!

Color Changing Nissan Skyline!

Seems cool in theory, but we're not too sure about the practical application.  Would you customize your Nissan with a heat sensitive paint job?

Pay a visit to our service department if your Nissan needs some TLC!

Don't Forget to Keep Your Tires Properly Inflated

Everyone loves to save gas. If you're looking for an easy way to increase your car's gas mileage, don't forget to check your tires. Improve your gas mileage by up to 3.3 percent by keeping your tires inflated to the proper pressure. Tires that are Under-inflated can lower your gas mileage by 0.3 percent for every 1 PSI drop in pressure.

You can normally find your car's proper tire pressure in the owner's manual. If your car needs tire maintenance, be sure to schedule a service appointment on our Nissan Dealership website today!

Nissan's new Leaf Nismo RC Concept

Here's a great video of Nissan's new Leaf Nismo RC Concept. This new concept is fitted with an 80-kW AC synchronous motor driving the rear wheels and draws power from a 48-module lithium-ion battery. Can you imagine taking a few laps behind the wheel of this Nissan?

Watch the full video on Autoblog.

If you're looking for a new Nissan, don't forget to visit our Fred Anderson Nissan Dealership and take one for a test drive!

Great Road Trip Songs to Add to Your Playlist

With summer winding down and the long Labor Day weekend on the horizon, many of us will be taking to the road for one more vacation before the fall season begins. But before you head off in your trusty Nissan for your next road trip adventure, don't forget to put together your best road trip playlist.

To help give you some inspiration, here are five songs we'd add to our road trip soundtrack:

• “Fast Car” – Tracy Chapman
• “Ticket to Ride” – The Beatles
• “Carolina In My Mind” – James Taylor
• “On the Road Again” – Willie Nelson
• “Born to Run” – Bruce Springsteen

These are just a few options for your vacation playlist. Be sure to add your own favorites and your trip will be a huge success.

Along with the proper playlist, don't forget to make sure your Nissan is in good shape before you hit the road. Head over to our Fayetteville Nissan Dealership and schedule a service appointment today!

Three Car Games to Save Your Road Trip

Summer is coming to a close. But before we turn the calendar to the upcoming fall season, many of us are hitting the road for one final road trip. Whether it's with your best friend or a group of family members, the time on the road can be a big factor in determining the success of your trip.

It's important to find things to keep you and your passengers entertained. Even though the trip starts out with excitement and jubilation, things can change in an instant.

What once was a time of happiness and elation, can quickly become nothing more than endless moments of dread and despair. But before you reveal a rage face that even the Hulk would be proud of, let's try and keep things interesting.

If you start to see your next road trip take a turn for the boring, try playing one of these car games to help pass the time.

• I Spy: This is a classic game that can be played with children or adults. The person who is "It" says "I spy with my little eye" and then names one characteristic of an item he sees.
• ABC Game: The goal of this game is to find every letter of the alphabet, in order, on billboards, license plates and other signs along the road. Have each person yell out the letter and item, when one is found. The winner is the first person to finish the alphabet.
• 20 Questions: To play this game, you need one person to be the answerer and the rest of the people to be the questioners. The answerer thinks of a person, place or thing and then the questioners ask questions to try and determine what the answerer has in mind.

It's no secret that a bland road trip isn't a fun experience. But with some creative thinking, a road trip in your Nissan can be a little more enjoyable. Before heading out on your next adventure, be sure to schedule a service appointment at our Fayetteville Nissan dealership.

Happy Travels!

Going Back to School? Don't Forget Your Versa

The calendar is reading August, and that only means one thing... Back to school season has returned! Now before you start stressing out about getting ready for the new school year, we're here with a quick tip.

When gathering up your school supplies and other classroom essentials, don't forget about packing a new Nissan Versa Note.

Editors at Kelley Blue Book recently compiled a list of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars for 2013 and the Nissan Versa Note was at the top! List criteria included earning high grades not only in fuel economy, but also safety, style, versatility, and value. All off which can be found in the Versa Note.

So if car shopping is part of your back-to-school to-do list this year, head over to Fred Anderson Nissan of Fayetteville and take a new Versa Note for a test drive.

Why You Should Buy a Maxima: Reason #4

If you're out car shopping this weekend, we highly recommend taking a look at the 2013 Nissan Maxima. This is a beautiful Nissan embodies refinement and style. There are countless reasons why you should buy a new Maxima, but today we're focusing on Reason #4.

The high-octane elegance of its sleek exterior.

With an aggressive silhouette, the Maxima features fenders that crouch low over dark-finished, 19" alloy wheels. It also sports dual mufflers that show off its throaty roar while accentuating its commanding stance. Up front, the turbine-inspired headlights will surely help you make an amazing  first impression.

Words and pictures don't do this car justice.  Head on over to our local Nissan dealership website to see what models we have in stock and stop by for a test drive!

Will the 2015 Nissan GT-R Nismo Go from 0 to 60 mph in 2 seconds?

Goose and Maverick aren't the only ones who have a need for speed. While we may never take to the skies in a fighter jet like the famous Top Gun pilots, many of us still search for ways to experience speed closer to the ground. With this in mind, rumors are buzzing around the incredible performance of the 2015 GT-R Nismo.

According to a recent Autoblog post, the new Nissan will hit 60 MPH in just two seconds! Yes, you read correctly... Two. Seconds. To learn more about how the GT-R will accomplish this incredible feat, head on over to the Nissan News section on Autoblog.

If this news has you itching to take a new Nissan for a test drive, visit our automotive dealership website and see what models we have available!

Only two weeks left to take advantage of our exclusive Facebook offer! $59.95 for a tire rotation and balance!

Click here to print your offer now: http://on.fb.me/14oK1iP

Car Care Tip of the Week: Use Your Headrest!

Before you hit the road, sit up straight, raise your head as high as you can, and press it into the headrest. Hold it there for five seconds, then relax and repeat five times. This will improve your posture and put muscles like your multifidus to work to keep your spine erect. This, in turn, will reduce the strain on your neck.

 

Versa Video Contest!

The Nissan Versa contest in underway! Show ‪Nissan‬ what you love on Instagram or Vine and your video could be featured in their next commercial! ‪#‎VersaVid‬

Click here to download your kit and get started: http://yourdoortomore.com/

Road Tripp'n!

Summer is here and it's officially road trip season! Here are ten fun facts for all the road warriors out there!

Nissan Qashqai caught looking sleek

The next-generation of the not-for-US-consumption Nissan Qashqai has been out doing some testing in southern Europe this week. And, if the dressed-in-trash-bags look is any indication, it's been doing a lot of roadwork so it can make weight for the big meet the weekend.

Nissan designers haven't been scared to take big design chances with recent new models, so expectations are that the Qashqai crossover will get a bold new visage for its generational changeover. What we see in these photos indicates a sleeker, slightly trimmer CUV however, with no trace of the bug-eyed look we captured recently on a testing Titan.

In the rest of the world, it's a good bet that the Qashqai will be powered by engines ranging from a 1.2-liter turbo up to a 1.6-liter forced-induction unit; that larger one good for something like 215 horsepower. Diesel powerplants will be in the mix, too, for the compact CUV, and word is that Nismo might get its hands on this Rogue cousin for the first time ever.


Courtesy of Auto Blog

Let’s make your Monday a little bit better with your Car Tip of the Week!

Rubber mats are one cost-effective way to keep your vehicle looking great. They are durable, waterproof, and easy to maintain unlike carpeting. Having to clean or replace the carpeting in your car is not something you want to be up against but invest in a set of floor mats and you’ll never have to worry about it again.

Thank you Tiara for this 5-star review on DealerRater!

"Mamie Rowe was very helpful very attentive to he things that I wanted and needed she helped me with the range that I needed for the vehicle and worked with me to stay within that budget.She made me feel as though she took her job seriously and I will definitely recommend this dealership." -Tiara

http://bit.ly/12hzKzT

Here’s your Car Care Tip of the Week: Check your windshield wipers!

The summertime is notorious for sudden, violent thunderstorms. When buckets of water are beating against your windshield, you need wipers that really work. Even more so at night, when a rain storm can decrease visibility to 15 or 20 feet in front of your vehicle.

Two more positive reviews for Fred Anderson Nissan!

"Great service from the beginning to the end. We walked out with 2 2013 vehicles! Great prices and rebates, sales person definitely got us the best deal available and explained everything to us. Finance manager was awesome!" - Angy

For more great reviews, click here: http://bit.ly/YUIFq4

There is only THREE DAYS left to save money on an AC service!

Print your exclusive Facebook coupon here: http://on.fb.me/14oK1iP

Rio de Janeiro, Renault-Nissan will try to accelerate EV production in Brazil

Government officials in Rio de Janeiro will work with sister companies Renault and Nissan to accelerate the process of getting electric vehicles built in Brazil.

A new memorandum of understanding between the organizations also includes Petrobras Distribuidora, Light, Ampla and Rio Negócios, and is part of what's called the Rio Capital Energy Program. No timetable or investment figures were disclosed. As it is, both Rio and Sao Paolo have launched pilot programs in which Nissan Leaf EVs will be used in the cities' taxi fleets.

"As part of the MoU, the parties will study the possibility of producing electric vehicles in the state, as well as the entire infrastructure necessary for running such cars," according to the press release. You can read the rest of it below.


Courtesy of Auto Blog Green

Here’s your Car Care Tip of the Week: Maintain Your Air Conditioning!

If you've ever lost your air conditioning on a hot summer day, then you know what a big difference a little cool air makes. The best way to tell if your air conditioner has a problem is if it can't generate or maintain air temperatures that are 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) below the ambient outside air temperature.

Another 5-star review on Cars.com for Fred Anderson Nissan! Way to go team!

"Great sales staff.. accommodating. My 2nd car from Nissan" -JK

For more great reviews, click here: http://bit.ly/1c1o2hj

Enter the world of Nismo

Watch the #JukeRide project race forward as Johnny Herbert initiates 10 members of the Nismo community into the world of digital age performance. 

Here’s your Car Care Tip of the Week: Check the Coolant and Radiator!

Cars are designed to run hot, but there's a limit to how hot they should run. A combustion engine is most efficient at around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. But if an engine is allowed to get too hot, moving metal parts can actually start to melt and fuse together, causing a variety of internal problems for your engine -- and, you guessed it, a hefty repair bill.

Here we grow again!

We're looking for great people to join our fantastic team! Are you ready to have an exciting career working with us? Click here for details to apply: http://bit.ly/11nGLlV

Nissan GT-R 2013 Hits The Powder

Technicians in Japan aren't put off by several inches of snow on their local test track, and use the wintery conditions as an opportunity to refine the GT-R's cold-weather performance. Looks like fun!  

Now at Fred Anderson Nissan, 10% off any service work!

Click here to print your coupon now: http://bit.ly/14tYaGY

2014 Nissan GT-R Track Pack: Godzilla Levels Up!

Unlike in previous years, the 2014 GT-R does not receive any power or torque upgrades, but that's not to say that Nissan left the VQ38DETT alone. The engine receives new injectors that provide more torque on the high side of the rev range and an oil pan baffle that stabilizes oil behavior and pressure when the car is being driven hard.   Would you like to drive one?

Nissan Officially Teases New Dacia Duster-Based Terrano SUV

Now it's official with the Japanese carmaker also releasing a teaser sketch previewing the looks of the new model that is scheduled to launch initially in India before the end of the year.

The single rendering suggests that Nissan, a partner of French automaker Renault that owns Dacia, will apply a new fascia together with a re-sculptured hood and profile lines to the Duster, but we'll have to wait for the actual car to see the changes.

The new Nissan Terrano will be more expensive than the Dacia model it is based on with the Japanese brand calling it a "premium SUV". It will be built at Nissan’s Oragadam Plant alongside the Micra hatchback, Sunny sedan and Evalia van.


Courtesy of House of Japan

Happy Monday fans! Here's your Car Care Tip of the Week: avoid excessive wear and tear!

Treat your vehicle with respect to maintain its value over the long haul. Avoid extreme start-and-stop driving, over-towing (or towing more weight than is recommended in your owner’s manual), excessive speeds or driving your vehicle in areas where road conditions are poor.

Save on an AC service!

Save money on an AC service NOW by printing our exclusive Facebook coupon! Click here to print yours: http://on.fb.me/14oK1iP

Kudos to our team for receiving this 5-star review!

"My experience at Nissan was smooth overall easy to do. I walked on the lot, just to browse, but I found a car that fits my personality to replace my old car that I had driven for over 7 years. The sales person was great, the service overall was great. I have given a positive rating because my experience was really great!" -acaldera

For more great reviews, click here: http://bit.ly/YUIFq4

Here’s your Car Care Tip of the Week: Empty Your Pockets!

The average guy spends 67 minutes each day behind the wheel. A thick wallet in your back pocket raises one hip above the other, twisting your spine and straining your lower back. Plus it can put pressure on your sciatic nerve, a common source of lower-back pain.

Facebook fan Azzam gets behind the wheel of a V8 Altima while driver James Moffat, #360, shows him the ropes and what it's like inside a race car!

First Drive: 2013 Nissan Leaf

Look at the 2013 Nissan Leaf – even one parked next to a 2012 model – and you'll be hard-pressed to spot the differences. Changes and updates have been made, but you have to know the details to tell. It's sort of like listening to a hipster tell you why Interpol and The National have completely different sounds.

Nissan says it didn't reinvent the Leaf because what the company has created is working. Over 25,000 Leafs have been sold in the US – 62,000 around the world – since the car went on sale in late 2010. That may not sound like a lot, but it's heads and shoulders above any other all-electric car available anywhere. The car has its detractors – boy, does it ever – but Nissan knows it's hard to argue with real-world success.

We recently spent a few hours driving the new Leaf – an SL-trim version, optioned out to $36,910 – around the hills of central Tennessee after a visit to Nissan's new 475,000 square-foot battery plant. What we learned there provided a lot of hints about the company's electric future. Nissan may be leading today, but company head Carlos Ghosn has made huge, multi-billion-dollar bets on zero-emission technology and the rest of the world has been very slow to prove him right.

The new 6.6-kW onboard charger cuts charge time in half, down to four hours.

As we said, there are some changes to the 2013 Leaf. Length, width, height and wheelbase measurements all remain the same from the 2012 model, but the car has lost weight. The SL went from 3,401 pounds to 3,340 lbs and the SV dropped from 3,385 to 3,340 lbs. The entry-level S trim, new this year, is the lightest, at 3,291 lbs. One of the easiest ways to spot a 2013 Leaf is to see one of the two new exterior colors, Metallic Slate or Glacier White. But most of the changes are small ones, like a little light in the charge port or the fact that you can now release the charge port door with the key fob. Also, a new auto lock feature secures the charging connector in place. There are new 17-inch alloy wheels available and the car's updated hybrid heating system is about 33 percent more efficient. The onboard charger has been moved from the rear cargo area to the front, which increases interior cargo space from 24 cubic feet to 30 with the seats down. The new 6.6-kW onboard charger, standard on SV and SL and available on the S, cuts charge time in half, down to four hours from empty to 80-percent full.

From the driver's seat, you see some differences, too. A redesigned leather-wrapped steering wheel, sun visor extensions and a new rear headrest design that has been changed for better visibility, for example. The navigation system includes a new Eco Route feature that will try to get you where you want to go using the fewest electrons. Most importantly, the dashboard lists a new percent of charge value for the battery – much more useful than the simple bars in previous versions.

The biggest drivetrain change is that the new motor has had its torque output reduced, from 207 to 187 lb-ft.

The first word that comes to mind when you step on the accelerator is not a good one: neutered. It's been a while since we've been behind the wheel of a Leaf, but it was immediately clear that Nissan has made some compromises here. The biggest drivetrain change is that the new motor has had its torque output reduced, from 207 to 187 pound-feet, thanks to revamped software code. This gives the overall system more efficiency and more range, 75 official miles from the 24-kWh pack, but the horsepower remains the same, at 107. It also makes the car feel a bit sluggish.

In practice, the Leaf, which can still initially leap ahead of most gas-powered cars at stoplights and remains as easy as ever to get to 35-40 miles per hour, feels neutered in a way the car didn't before. There's just something missing. Perhaps it's the new motor. Perhaps it's just that we're getting more and more used to the way EVs drive that it takes more to impress us now. Whatever it is, we were not the only journalists to notice it, and Nissan doesn't provide 0-60 figures for us to compare just how different the new Leaf is to its older cousins. But if you really want to feel the car drag, engage the new "B" mode, which increases regenerative braking pressure, or "eco," which maximizes efficiency. For driving fun, we recommend neither.

Nissan wants to start selling the Leaf in much larger volumes.

If you're used to a gas-powered econobox, the Leaf is surprisingly quiet. If you're used to an earlier edition Nissan Leaf, then it's old news to you how much more serene it is to drive a car without engine noise. We didn't have anything bad to say about the electric power steering, but not much good, either. It does the job just fine, and that's all that's important – this isn't a sports car, or even a hot hatch. The Leaf's single-speed transmission remains wonderfully smooth throughout its speed range and the entire package reminds us, once again, that the Leaf is an ideal commuter car – provided you're the right commuter. For example, if you don't live in California, a state where the number of EV options are getting pretty astonishing, and dislike burning gasoline. Just as we don't recommend pickup trucks to everyone, we can't recommend an electric vehicle to everyone. But if you can charge up at home or work and drive fewer than 50 miles per day, on average, the Leaf remains a great, clean and affordable way to get to and from work.

It's abundantly clear that Nissan didn't want to change the Leaf formula too much. Source components and build the car in the US? Sure. Sacrifice a little bit of performance for more range? No problem. Keep most everything else the same? Yup. The reason is that Nissan wants to start selling the Leaf in much larger volumes. As Ghosn said not too long ago, "Our ambitions on the Leaf are not 2,000 cars a month. We know this is a breakthrough technology, we know this is a breakthrough car."

Nissan has enough capacity to build 200,000 battery packs per year in Smyrna, TN.

To that end, we just have to look at the company's new battery plant in Smyrna, TN. Mark Swensen, VP of production engineering and component facilities, said it's about a 30-day process to build a Leaf battery there. Once completed, the packs are driven by truck pretty much right next door to the plant where the Leaf is built (on the same line as the Altima and Maxima). The electric motors are made about an hour away in Decherd, TN. In the battery plant, clean rooms (where the high-tech components are assembled in an antiseptic environment), use HEPA filtration systems to keep the air clean. One such room is kept at a -40C dew point, which means a drink placed in the room would need to be at -40C before it got any beads of "sweat" on it.

Currently, there are around 250 employees in the battery facility, and the place feels roomy, with lots of space for more bodies or robots or other manufacturing components. This is because Nissan has enough capacity to build 200,000 battery packs per year in Smyrna, but it's building nowhere near that many right now. No one from Nissan, unsurprisingly, would talk about how many packs will be made at the plant this year, but we cannot imagine full capacity being reached any time soon. After all, with production plants on three continents now running (the original in Japan and a new one in the UK), local demand is being satisfied where the cars are being built, and the US is not on track to buy 200,000 all-electric vehicles – even from all automakers combined – this year. That many sales would require over 16,000 EV sales a month. The Leaf may be the best-selling EV out there (we think), but in a good month it sells just 2,200 units. Not counting exports, Nissan would need an eight-fold sales increase to push the battery plant to the limit. In other words, there's room to grow.

Year-over-year sales are up 160 percent through April.

Growth is exactly what the company road map predicts. Brendan Jones, Nissan's director of EV infrastructure strategy and deployment, said that 80 percent of Leaf buyers are new to the brand and the car saw a large increase in younger buyers in the last year. So far in 2013, year-over-year sales are up 160 percent through April (2,103 in 2012 and 5,476 in 2013). The average Leaf buyer, Jones says, is highly educated (73 percent have more than a high school degree) and their average credit score is 750. Nissan expects the sales breakdown for the three trim lines of the 2013 Leaf to be 20 percent of the $28,800 entry-level S, 55-percent mid-level $31,820 SV and 25-percent high-end $37,250 SL.

Add it all up, and it appears Nissan thinks it has figured out the formula to keep new people coming in to experience the world's best-selling EV. It's done the math to calculate which aspects of the car needed to be improved (drop the price, for one) and which can be somewhat ignored (torque, performance) to attract the largest number of buyers. So far, the plan is showing signs of working, but it's a long drive from roughly 25,000 electric vehicles a year – the current US pace – to 200,000. A very long drive.


Courtesy of Auto Blog