Why Leaf did not participate in X-prize?

[Stunt Driver]

What do you think? Seems like even without 200mile range they would get a lot of positive PR from making it into finals, and then showing the max they can do on the track (be in 120 miles or 160).

[aptera1213]

Well a couple of things...

The LEAF isn't trying to be a cutting edge car...it wants to be "just a car".

Or more correctly, "just a car that happens to not use gas."

They don't want to be exotic, or xtreme, or any of the X things....just a reliable car that happens to run on electricity.

Secondly, none of the big boys entered (GM, Nissan, Toyota, Honda, Fiat, Ford, etc etc), too much to lose by losing, not enough to gain by winning.

Gavin

[SlowSRT4]

It doesn't make sense for that to happen. The money and testing experience from xprize means nothing to the major auto manufacturers (they already have money, test facilities, etc.), whereas it is significant for these small teams and companies.

[Grendal]

The reality is...If they tried they could do everything the X-prize teams did and more. They've even done the same things in the past. They are just unwilling to take the chance to make a lightweight aerodynamic vehicle. Hopefully one of these teams manage to bring their vehicle to market - even the Aptera. If done correctly, just like the Tesla, it will force them to do the same. There would likely be no Leaf if there had not been a Tesla to pave the way...

JMHO

[JustWilliam]

The Leaf is the first of several mainstream vehicles from the global automotive giants. The only risks they are taking is with electric propulsion in general, and profit in specific.

It's an aggressive opening salvo in a sales race, and they have done brilliantly.

There's simply no reason for them to bother.