Nissan Leaf’s Sales Rise During Profitable Month For Automotive Industry

The Nissan Leaf sold around 3,000 units last month.  Credit: Cliff via Flickr

May was the best sales month since the recession for many car companies, including Franklin-based Nissan. The company praises its Smyrna-produced Leaf, which has increased in sales by almost fifty percent since last year.  Another notable increase in Nissan’s sales is the Sentra, which sold 9,000 more than last May, for a total of 22,000 cars.

Part of what made the Leaf’s sales go up is that Texas started encouraging buyers with rebates and free charging stations. Tennessee used to offer a rebate for the Leaf but does not anymore.  Despite being the best selling electric car, the Leaf still doesn’t make up a lot of Nissan’s overall sales, with only 3,000 units sold last month.

The Volkswagen Passat, manufactured in Chattanooga, sold almost a thousand units less than last May. However, the Chevy Equinox, produced in Spring Hill, had an increase in profit of 16 percent.