Japanese automaker Nissan plans to introduce an electric vehicle with similar range to General Motors' Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Motors' Model 3.
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told reporters today at the Detroit auto show that Nissan is also planning an electric car with similar range as the Bolt concept's 200 miles.
He said the introduction of the Bolt "was not a surprise."
"Obviously we will be competing" with electric cars that get 200 miles on a battery charge, he said.
Sales of the Nissan Leaf rose 34% in 2014 to 30,200 units. Meanwhile, GM's semi-electric Volt fell 19% to 18,805, but the automaker today revealed a redesigned version of the Volt that will hit dealerships later this year.
"We are the leaders and we frankly intend to continue to be the leaders," Ghosn said.
He added: "Generations of EVs coming are going to get better, less costly, lighter, more autonomous."
GM said the Bolt, which is expected to become a production vehicle around 2017, would be priced at about $30,000 after a federal tax credit. Tesla has promised to deliver the Model 3 with similar range and cost around the same time frame.
Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told reporters today at the Detroit auto show that Nissan is also planning an electric car with similar range as the Bolt concept's 200 miles.
He said the introduction of the Bolt "was not a surprise."
"Obviously we will be competing" with electric cars that get 200 miles on a battery charge, he said.
Sales of the Nissan Leaf rose 34% in 2014 to 30,200 units. Meanwhile, GM's semi-electric Volt fell 19% to 18,805, but the automaker today revealed a redesigned version of the Volt that will hit dealerships later this year.
"We are the leaders and we frankly intend to continue to be the leaders," Ghosn said.
He added: "Generations of EVs coming are going to get better, less costly, lighter, more autonomous."
GM said the Bolt, which is expected to become a production vehicle around 2017, would be priced at about $30,000 after a federal tax credit. Tesla has promised to deliver the Model 3 with similar range and cost around the same time frame.
