Latest news with #LEAF
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan's all-new 2026 LEAF EV comes at a critical time for automaker
Nissan (NSANY) revealed the all-new 2026 LEAF EV, a big update to one of the original mainstream EVs offered in America. But the updated, compact EV comes at a precarious time for the automaker. The new LEAF features a more standard design, an update to the prior-generation LEAF that looked like a hatchback version of the entry-level Versa. Nissan went more upmarket with the LEAF, giving it a desirable crossover compact SUV form factor, along with looks inspired by its big brother, the Ariya EV. Though the car features a new design, Nissan wanted to maintain the original LEAF's low pricing. 'We have not released final pricing on the vehicle, but fair to assume early on that [it will be in] the very low $30's [thousands],' with higher trims reaching $40,000, said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president and chief planning officer for Nissan Americas. While that's a bit more than the current LEAF, which starts at $28,140, Pandikuthria believes what's most important is maintaining a similar monthly payment, a metric Nissan will try to maintain when the LEAF goes on sale later this year. Pandikuthria, whose role includes defining Nissan's future product portfolio and profitability, believes the new LEAF is a much-improved update to a car that's sold 700,000 units since its 2010 debut but 'never won any beauty pageants,' he said. The LEAF will come in a front-wheel-drive-only configuration, with one electric motor driving the front wheels, but that means higher efficiency, translating to an estimated 303-mile range from its 75-kWh battery pack, a huge jump from the 212-mile range of the current LEAF SV Plus. The new LEAF will also come with Tesla's NACS inlet port built in, providing easy access to Tesla's ubiquitous Supercharger network. Speaking of Tesla (TSLA), the EV king is one of the brands Nissan is targeting, with the automaker shooting for a 70% conquest rate, Pandikuthria said. With the cheapest Model 3 coming in at around $42,500, there is an opportunity. But Nissan faces a potential hurdle with tariffs. President Trump's auto sector tariffs of 25% apply to the Japanese-built LEAF, meaning an additional $7,500 in extra costs for the car, the majority of which Nissan will likely have to pass to the consumer. And the US and Japan left this week's G7 meeting without a trade deal. Tariffs aside, Nissan is in a tough spot. The company posted a net loss of around $4.6 billion for fiscal 2024, and new CEO Iván Espinosa is targeting 20,000 job cuts and the closure of seven of its 17 global plants by 2027. That being said, Nissan is trying to stem the losses in important markets like China and the US. The company intends to release 10 new and updated vehicles in North America by 2027. The new LEAF is one of them. And Nissan needs it to be a hit. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
Business Wire
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Wire
2026 Nissan LEAF: How designers turned the iconic EV into a sleek, air-cheating crossover
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The all-new 2026 Nissan LEAF 1 is the boldest iteration yet of the brand's pioneering electric vehicle (EV). Designers transformed the hatchback into a crossover featuring a bold new face, muscular fenders and wheels pushed toward the corners of the chassis. And thanks to precise adjustments and attention to detail, the third-generation LEAF has a remarkably low drag coefficient of just 0.26. Giovanny Arroba, vice president of Nissan Design Europe, led the project. From the beginning, he encouraged the design team to lean into their creativity and embrace Nissan's Japanese heritage. 'We wanted the team to truly explore and rev their imagination,' he said. An electrifying legacy LEAF was the first mass-market, fully electric vehicle when it debuted in 2009. In the 16 years since, more than half a million have been sold globally 2. 'LEAF is quite special,' Arroba said. 'The design philosophy for the new LEAF really is keeping a spirit of timeless Japanese futurism and bringing impactful, striking design as we reimagine it as a crossover for the next generation.' The most noticeable change is LEAF's crossover proportions. Designers pushed the wheels closer to the corners, raised its stance and shortened the front overhang. Combined, they present a message of sportiness and capability. 'It has a much more agile presence on the road,' Arroba said. Sleek, striking and seamless Since EVs do not require a traditional grille, Nissan designers incorporated more of the body color into the front fascia, creating a cohesive look. LED headlights are connected by a thin, continuous light across the front of the vehicle, helping emphasize LEAF's width. 'The V-motion-like mask integrates all our lighting elements from corner to corner with a rectangle motif that's echoed in our taillights,' Arroba said. The new rear is upright and features a high lip spoiler to diffuse air, further aiding aerodynamics. 'When you walk up to the back of the car, you really notice its new proportions, reflecting sleek efficiency while maintaining its functionality as a crossover,' Arroba said. Designers added subtle details for drivers to discover. Throughout the vehicle, there is a motif of two vertical bars next to three horizontal bars. This alludes to ni and san – Japanese for two and three, respectively – a nod to the brand's name. The most obvious placement of this motif is the taillights, which feature a 3D, holographic design. 'When you turn on the car, it comes to life in a digitalized, playful, charming manner,' Arroba said. Throughout the vehicle, designers and engineers maintained a mantra of precision. They ensured panel gaps between doors, windows, the hood and other components were flush and small – creating a more cohesive, high-quality appearance. This attention to seamless quality contributed to LEAF's excellent aerodynamics, alongside flush retractable door handles, hidden rear door handles and plenty of time in the wind tunnel. 'The silhouette is shaped by science. That's what gives us the low drag coefficient, especially for a crossover,' Arroba said. New modern, airy interior Stepping inside the 2026 LEAF, passengers will be greeted by an immediate sense of airiness and space. 'Being an electrified platform with a flat floor, we're able to carve out a lot more space than a traditional car, and we want to really show it off,' Arroba said. Enhancing this feeling is an available dimming panoramic roof – Nissan's first – that can become opaque in an instant. The driver can make several adjustments to make the glass opaque over the front seats, rear seats, both or neither. The LEAF nameplate is included in the opaque design. 'When the sunshine comes through that panoramic roof, it'll create the shadow of the nameplate in the interior of the car,' Arroba explained. Much like the 2025 Murano, horizontal lines provide a modern, spacious impression. Materials don't just look premium – they feel upscale as well, with soft-touch surfaces in key touchpoints. 'We wanted less hard plastics and more soft wrapping, but with a sense of vibrancy. Even the darker interior has a little bit of flake in it, bringing a little bit of shine and color – especially when the sun hits it,' Arroba said. 'The surfaces are alive.' The LEAF embraces the latest technology without overwhelming its occupants. Available dual 14.3-inch screens are smoothly integrated into the dashboard and feature new graphics that can gradually change with the time of day. 'You step in and you feel the morning environment through the color and the background,' Arroba said. 'As it goes through midday, evening and night, those colors change.' Nissan designers took a deliberate, thoughtful approach in creating the latest LEAF. While its new look is a departure from the outgoing model, it embodies the spirit of the original LEAF – and maintains its status as an EV icon. 'What makes LEAF special is its pioneering spirit,' Arroba said. 'That lives on in this new design. We're very proud of it, and I can't wait to see it on the road.' About Nissan USA Stories The Nissan USA Stories page explores the best of Nissan's people, products, technology and more. New to the page? Subscribe here to receive alerts when a new story is published. 1 2026 LEAF not yet available for purchase. Expected availability fall 2025. Pre-production model shown. Actual production model may vary. 2 Based on Global Nissan LEAF sales numbers since 2010.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan's all-new 2026 LEAF EV comes at a critical time for automaker
Nissan (NSANY) revealed the all-new 2026 LEAF EV, a big update to one of the original mainstream EVs offered in America. But the updated, compact EV comes at a precarious time for the automaker. The new LEAF features a more standard design, an update to the prior-generation LEAF that looked like a hatchback version of the entry-level Versa. Nissan went more upmarket with the LEAF, giving it a desirable crossover compact SUV form factor, along with looks inspired by its big brother, the Ariya EV. Though the car features a new design, Nissan wanted to maintain the original LEAF's low pricing. 'We have not released final pricing on the vehicle, but fair to assume early on that [it will be in] the very low $30's [thousands],' with higher trims reaching $40,000, said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president and chief planning officer for Nissan Americas. While that's a bit more than the current LEAF, which starts at $28,140, Pandikuthria believes what's most important is maintaining a similar monthly payment, a metric Nissan will try to maintain when the LEAF goes on sale later this year. Pandikuthria, whose role includes defining Nissan's future product portfolio and profitability, believes the new LEAF is a much-improved update to a car that's sold 700,000 units since its 2010 debut but 'never won any beauty pageants,' he said. The LEAF will come in a front-wheel-drive-only configuration, with one electric motor driving the front wheels, but that means higher efficiency, translating to an estimated 303-mile range from its 75-kWh battery pack, a huge jump from the 212-mile range of the current LEAF SV Plus. The new LEAF will also come with Tesla's NACS inlet port built in, providing easy access to Tesla's ubiquitous Supercharger network. Speaking of Tesla (TSLA), the EV king is one of the brands Nissan is targeting, with the automaker shooting for a 70% conquest rate, Pandikuthria said. With the cheapest Model 3 coming in at around $42,500, there is an opportunity. But Nissan faces a potential hurdle with tariffs. President Trump's auto sector tariffs of 25% apply to the Japanese-built LEAF, meaning an additional $7,500 in extra costs for the car, the majority of which Nissan will likely have to pass to the consumer. And the US and Japan left this week's G7 meeting without a trade deal. Tariffs aside, Nissan is in a tough spot. The company posted a net loss of around $4.6 billion for fiscal 2024, and new CEO Iván Espinosa is targeting 20,000 job cuts and the closure of seven of its 17 global plants by 2027. That being said, Nissan is trying to stem the losses in important markets like China and the US. The company intends to release 10 new and updated vehicles in North America by 2027. The new LEAF is one of them. And Nissan needs it to be a hit. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Nissan's all-new 2026 LEAF EV comes at a critical time for automaker
Nissan (NSANY) revealed the all-new 2026 LEAF EV, a big update to one of the original mainstream EVs offered in America. But the updated, compact EV comes at a precarious time for the automaker. The new LEAF features a more standard design, an update to the prior-generation LEAF that looked like a hatchback version of the entry-level Versa. Nissan went more upmarket with the LEAF, giving it a desirable crossover compact SUV form factor, along with looks inspired by its big brother, the Ariya EV. Though the car features a new design, Nissan wanted to maintain the original LEAF's low pricing. 'We have not released final pricing on the vehicle, but fair to assume early on that [it will be in] the very low $30's [thousands],' with higher trims reaching $40,000, said Ponz Pandikuthira, senior vice president and chief planning officer for Nissan Americas. While that's a bit more than the current LEAF, which starts at $28,140, Pandikuthria believes what's most important is maintaining a similar monthly payment, a metric Nissan will try to maintain when the LEAF goes on sale later this year. Pandikuthria, whose role includes defining Nissan's future product portfolio and profitability, believes the new LEAF is a much-improved update to a car that's sold 700,000 units since its 2010 debut but 'never won any beauty pageants,' he said. The LEAF will come in a front-wheel-drive-only configuration, with one electric motor driving the front wheels, but that means higher efficiency, translating to an estimated 303-mile range from its 75-kWh battery pack, a huge jump from the 212-mile range of the current LEAF SV Plus. The new LEAF will also come with Tesla's NACS inlet port built in, providing easy access to Tesla's ubiquitous Supercharger network. Speaking of Tesla (TSLA), the EV king is one of the brands Nissan is targeting, with the automaker shooting for a 70% conquest rate, Pandikuthria said. With the cheapest Model 3 coming in at around $42,500, there is an opportunity. But Nissan faces a potential hurdle with tariffs. President Trump's auto sector tariffs of 25% apply to the Japanese-built LEAF, meaning an additional $7,500 in extra costs for the car, the majority of which Nissan will likely have to pass to the consumer. And the US and Japan left this week's G7 meeting without a trade deal. Tariffs aside, Nissan is in a tough spot. The company posted a net loss of around $4.6 billion for fiscal 2024, and new CEO Iván Espinosa is targeting 20,000 job cuts and the closure of seven of its 17 global plants by 2027. That being said, Nissan is trying to stem the losses in important markets like China and the US. The company intends to release 10 new and updated vehicles in North America by 2027. The new LEAF is one of them. And Nissan needs it to be a hit. Pras Subramanian is the lead auto reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business News Wales
12-06-2025
- General
- Business News Wales
Open Farm Sunday 2025 Sees Surge in Host Farms
Open Farm Sunday, the nation's flagship annual event celebrating British farming, has seen a surge in host farms taking part this year, with 270 events taking place across Wales, England and Scotland – a 20% increase on last year. Managed by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming) since it began in 2006, the day welcomed an estimated 200,000 visitors, helping them to develop deeper connections with the land, food, and the farmers who produce it. Open Farm Sunday manager Annabel Shackleton emphasised how these results illustrate the power of the farming community to engage, educate, and inspire the public in a powerful way while driving real changes in attitudes. 'Open Farm Sunday not only celebrates the UK's farming heritage, it also develops greater connections between people and where their food comes from,' said Annabel. 'Hundreds of events across the UK have showcased how farmers are working in harmony with nature and encouraged open discussions that address vital issues, including climate change, sustainability, food security, and youth engagement with agriculture.' New research from LEAF reveals a strong appetite among young people to learn more about the sector with 46% of Gen Z say they would consider a career in farming. While only one in five currently see farming as essential to tackling climate change, this highlights an opportunity to bridge the knowledge gap and align farming's role with the values Gen Z cares about most, LEAF said. Widespread broadcast and print coverage were secured including an Open Farm Sunday main storyline on BBC Radio 4's The Archers programme, TV coverage on BBC Breakfast and regional channels, and a series of radio interviews syndicated to over 100 stations, reaching an audience of tens of millions.
