Third Generation Nissan Leaf Will Be An Electric Compact SUV: Report

The third-generation Nissan Leaf will transform into an electric compact SUV. Nissan's European Division Head - Guillaume Cartier has confirmed to Autocar UK that the new electric compact SUV model, to be built at the brand's Sunderland facility, will serve as the replacement for the Leaf electric hatchback. It is a part of the automaker's plan to invest about £1 billion into its Sunderland plant in the UK. The Leaf's transition from a hatchback to a crossover bodystyle is likely to happen by 2025. By then, the Leaf replacement will be the fifth electrified SUV in the carmaker's lineup after the Juke, Ariya, X-Trail, and the Qashqai.

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The Leaf replacement reportedly will be based on the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance's CMF-EV platform, which is also employed by the Ariya and Megane E-Tech. Do note, the Renault Megane E-Tech all-electric car was revealed at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich last month.

The new electric compact SUV model will be built at Nissan's Sunderland facility in the UK

The Japanese carmaker aims to electrify its entire range by 2025 either with full EVs or E-power hybrid models and expects to achieve 80 per cent of its sales to be fully electric vehicles by 2030. The automaker will announce plans for its next era of EVs and electrifications later in the Autumn confirmed Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida to Autocar UK. He also confirmed that the company will not focus on Hydrogen technology but will majorly emphasise Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).

Moreover, the company will not solely produce conventional models such as hatchbacks, saloons and estates for the European markets. Instead, the brand will look up to its Alliance partners - Mitsubishi and Renault to source underpinnings for other segments.

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