Nissan stops taking orders of Sakura EV, X-Path in Japan By Reuters

TOKYO (Reuters) – Nissan (OTC:) Motor Co has quickly stopped taking new orders of its not too long ago unveiled mild electrical automobiles (EVs) due to extended supply durations of a 12 months or extra, a Nissan spokesperson stated on Thursday.

The Japanese automaker stopped taking orders of the Sakura, totally electrical micro “kei” vehicles, on the finish of the month, the spokesperson stated. The corporate introduced the suspension on its web site on Tuesday and it’s unclear when it is going to resume taking orders.

Gasoline-electric hybrid fashions stay much more widespread in Nissan’s dwelling market than EVs, however the automaker hopes to attract extra Japanese drivers to battery-powered vehicles by providing low-priced micro fashions such because the Sakura.

Nissan additionally stopped taking new orders of the X-Path crossover sports activities utility car for a similar purpose.

The suspension is for the home market, the spokesperson stated.

“We’re unable to supply clients with a supply date response,” the spokesperson stated.

Robust orders and the worldwide semiconductor chip scarcity, which had forged uncertainty over the manufacturing plan for the subsequent fiscal 12 months, have led to a protracted supply interval of a 12 months or extra, the spokesperson added.

The Japanese automaker unveiled the Sakura, its first collectively developed mild EV with alliance associate Mitsubishi Motors (OTC:) Corp, in Could and stated in July it had attracted orders of 23,000 items, exceeding the overall variety of battery-driven EVs offered by all firms in Japan final 12 months.

Nissan stated in August it might cease taking new orders for the Leaf EV at present offered within the home market in late September.