First Leaf Falls in Texas

Following a nightmare week for the people working for Nissan's public relations offices, who have been bombarded with complaints about delays in the delivery of the Leaf electric vehicle, the Japanese manufacturer is trying to make a change in the way in which it communicates Leaf-related stories to the public.

Accused of not being able to respect its commitments about delivery dates, Nissan responded earlier this week that the slow rate at which the Leaf reaches its customers is not a delivery issue, but a PR one. More specifically, the Leaf is not late, it's just that Nissan failed to let customers know how long it would take before they got it.

As if trying to fix that, the car maker announced today it had delivered the first EV to Texas, to a customer named Jimmy Sauers. It is the first model to reach the state in 2011, thus completing the entry in all initial roll-out markets.

"Electricity is the new fuel for cars, and the Nissan LEAF has the potential to transform the automotive industry and the way people drive," said Carlos Tavares, Nissan Americas chairman.

"Starting today, drivers in Houston have the freedom to choose a future that produces zero tailpipe emissions, moves away from our dependence on fossil fuels and represents the end of trips to the gas station. This Nissan LEAF delivery signifies the dawn of a movement that brings sustainable mobility to within our grasp."

From now on, believes Nissan, the road should be smooth. The car maker will sell the Leaf without restrictions starting next year, in most of its markets.