Nissan Leaf delivery pace is plodding

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Would-be Nissan Leaf owners are looking for their cars.

Delayed deliveries of the Nissan Leaf have frustrated some would-be early-adopters of the all-electric vehicle, but officials from the company say the next few weeks should see an increase of Northwest deliveries of the car.

While no specific date or number of deliveries was ever promised by Nissan, the eagerness of electric-car fans have highlighted the fact that anticipated deliveries have been slowed both by the effects of Japan's earthquake and tsunami and a technical glitch with the car's computer.

"It's a challenge distributing the car," said Tim Gallagher, spokesman for Nissan. "We've been trying to be very transparent."

Gallagher said specific Leaf delivery figures would be available this week.

Joel Fowler, electric vehicle manager at Tonkin Wilsonville Nissan — the site of Oregon's first Nissan Leaf delivery — said he knows of 33 Nissan Leaf deliveries in Oregon, 18 of them from his home dealership. He estimates he still has 110 customers still waiting for delivery.

"Most people have been patient," Fowler said. "How can you complain about not getting your car when you see what the people in Japan have been going through?"

Tony Songvilay, EV specialist and Internet manager for Beaverton Nissan, said he's has about 10 deliveries of Nissan Leafs so far — of the five dozen or so that his customers are waiting for.

"They're trickling in," he said.

Meanwhile would-be Leaf owners around Portland keep dusting off their in-garage chargers and wait for delivery day.

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