YOKOSUKA Japan (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co on Friday kicked off a week-long test-drive event for its Leaf electric car, saying it had a combined 20,000 orders in Japan and the United States six months before the car goes on sale.
Japan's No.3 automaker is inviting 500 journalists, shareholders, government officials, and some customers who have placed reservations to drive the five-seater hatchback at its test track near Tokyo in an exclusive preview through June 19.
Nissan is counting on the zero-emission Leaf to regain its reputation as a technology leader after trailing Toyota Motor and Honda Motor in fuel-efficient hybrid cars.
