Nissan Leaf Extends Sales Lead Over Chevrolet Volt in July

Just the Facts:

• Sales of the Nissan Leaf in July fell from the previous month, but the high-profile EV still outsold the Chevrolet Volt hybrid.
• The Leaf sold 931 units in July versus 125 units of the Chevrolet Volt.
• For the first seven months, Nissan extended its lead over Chevrolet, selling 4,806 Leafs against 2,870 Volts.

DETROIT — The Nissan Leaf extended its lead over the Chevrolet Volt in July, with the high-profile electric vehicle outselling its plug-in hybrid rival, 931 units to 125. In the first seven months, Nissan sold 4,806 Leafs and Chevrolet sold 2,870 Volts.

Nissan spokeswoman Katherine Zachary, in response to a query from Inside Line, said: "We sold more than 930 Leafs last month, delivering all we had available. Interest in the Leaf continues to be strong, as we just started taking reservations in new markets, including the Southeast and Chicago."

"It's tough to sell what isn't available," said a Chevrolet spokesperson. "The plant is back online, so cars will soon be back in the pipeline."

Although it began a nationwide rollout of the Volt two months ago, Chevrolet was hampered by a factory shutdown that began in June to prepare for the launch of the 2012 Volt.

Chevy also is bringing out a lower-priced Volt with less equipment for model year 2012. The price cut drops the Volt's base sticker to $39,995, including an $850 shipping charge.

Nissan meanwhile is raising the price of the 2012 Leaf, boosting the sticker to $36,050, including an $850 shipping charge.

The Leaf sprinted past the Volt in June, with the Japanese nameplate outselling its American rival, 3,875 units to 2,745 in the first half. Through May, Volt had led Leaf in year-to-date sales, but fell behind with the factory change-over in June.

Inside Line says: In recent months, the Leaf has consistently outsold the Volt by significant margins. A price cut and a boost in production volume may — or may not — help Chevrolet narrow that gap this fall.