Slow start for Leaf deliveries as the Volt and i-MiEV hit the roads

Reports from Japan suggest that Nissan is taking deliveries there as slowly as in the US, with only 60 units having been delivered as of Friday January 14.

The low number, which was reported by Kyodo News, is despite some 6,000 units having been ordered in Japan which are due by the end of March.

Nissan spokesman Mitsuru Yonekawa told AFP on Tuesday that the automaker was taking a cautious approach to ensure quality control, adding that it was not delayed or behind schedule and production would be ramped up to meet its 6,000 units target by March 31.

Last week at the North American International Auto Show, PluginCars.com's Nick Chambers quizzed a Nissan executive about US deliveries of the Leaf after many consumers complained about the slow rate of fulfilment there.

According to the PluginCars.com report, Nissan's Brian Carolin said that the company had been overwhelmed by the interest.

"We probably gave an expectation of availability which in hindsight was too early," said Carolin.

"Our engineers are incredibly crucial and they want to make sure that every [Leaf] coming out of the gate is absolutely right. The rate of climb has been probably a little slower than you'd expect."

Deliveries are now starting to ramp up in the US, according to reports, but the damage caused by the delay could be longer lasting, especially given that Chevrolet delivered over 300 vehicles to customers last month.

Both company's deliveries to date pale in comparison to the efforts of Mitsubishi in getting its i-MiEV EV to Europe, however.

Last week, it confirmed that 2,500 of the cars are now on their way to 15 European countries and thousands of buyers eager to get their hands on them.

The firm also said that it would begin shipping to Finland, Serbia, Turkey, and Slovenia in the near future.