One of the UK’s best-known Nissan dealership groups has switched its entire company car fleet from traditional petrol and diesel-powered models to alternatives from the manufacturer’s exciting line-up of electric vehicles.
The switch to the EV life has been made at South West Nissan Group, which operates Nissan showrooms in Wellington, Somerset; and Exeter and Barnstaple in Devon.
Three directors are now enjoying everything the all-new crossover Ariya has to offer; while 13 other senior managers are piloting examples of the phenomenally popular LEAF hatchback.
The zero tailpipe emission, award-winning Ariya arrived in UK showrooms earlier this year to rave reviews. Poised yet powerful, and with a luxurious, lounge-like interior, the car is capable of travelling up to 329 miles on a single charge.
While LEAF, the world’s first mass-market EV, has been kept right up to date during its 12-year lifespan and remains incredibly popular with individual consumers and fleet managers alike. More than 500,000 examples have been sold around the world since launch and its trophy cabinet is bursting at the seams.
The senior team at South West Nissan Group were keen to switch to electric motoring as a way of showcasing everything LEAF and Ariya have to offer, while perhaps persuading any slightly EV-wary customers that zero tailpipe emission motoring is the way forward.
From a practical fleet management perspective, there are taxation and other economic benefits for both company and driver, such as drastically reduced benefit in kind; far lower costs per mile driven; and much smaller maintenance and repair bills.
Matthew Holcombe, Group Managing Director at South West Nissan Group, said: ‘‘This switch to electric motoring is a project we have all been incredibly excited about in recent weeks and we are delighted to have completed the transition. LEAF and Ariya are tremendous cars – and everything has gone very smoothly with the change-over.
‘‘Before making this move, we had all gained some experience of electric motoring and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. But we decided the time had come to really go for it.
Complete faith
‘‘As well as enjoying the many benefits these cars have to offer, we are demonstrating to our customers our complete faith in the technology that powers them.’’
Matthew said that although LEAF remained a huge draw at South West Nissan Group’s three Nissan dealerships, more and more customers were being attracted to Ariya with its futuristic design, great levels of technology and wide range of creature comforts.
He explained: ‘‘LEAF has been a great success story for us over the years but now we’re finding that Ariya, even though it’s a higher price-point proposition, is taking some LEAF sales. Customers who perhaps might have bought their second or third LEAF are now going into Ariya. No wonder – it’s a fantastic car!’’