One of the conditions of Lance Armstrong’s endorsement contract with Nissan was that the seven-time Tour de France winner would receive the first LEAF delivered to consumers in the United States.The occasion occurred Sept. 29 when Armstrong’s new wheels were delivered to the cyclist in Austin, Texas.
Armstrong, who has made two commercials for Nissan, a vehicle supplier to the cyclist’s cycling team, RadioShack, announced the delivery to his more than 2.6 million followers on Twitter via the following image.
Nissan recently announced it’s no longer taking reservations in the U.S. for 2011 Leaf. The company had planned to keep its $99 reservation program open until December, but reservations for the 20,000 quota of cars was reached three months early.
The general public is expected to begin receiving the LEAF in about three months.
Article Last Updated: September 29, 2010.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
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An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
That must mean the LEAF production line is up and running in Japan. Are there any photos or videos available of the production line?
Ed: I am not aware of the Japanese distribution of the Leaf. Check You Tube, perhaps.