Nissan's Leaf electric vehicle

Nissan's Leaf electric vehicle

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Nissan Motor Co.'s Leaf electric vehicle. Nissan announced Jan. 9, 2013, that it will begin assembling the vehicle at its Smyrna, Tennessee factory later in the week, aiming to produce there by 2015 85 percent of the Leaf cars sold in North America.

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

SMYRNA, United States - Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn (L) speaks at a news conference in Smyrna, Tennessee, on May 26, 2010, after attending a ground-breaking ceremony for a factory there to assemble electric vehicles.

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

SMYRNA, United States - Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn delivers a speech during a ground-breaking ceremony for a factory to assemble electric vehicles in Smyrna, Tennessee, on May 26, 2010. The factory, being built at Nissan's existing plant in Smyrna, is capable of making up to 150,000 rechargeable Leaf hatchbacks a year. Production is set to begin at the end of 2012.

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

SMYRNA, United States - Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn delivers a speech during a ground-breaking ceremony for a factory to assemble electric vehicles in Smyrna, Tennessee, on May 26, 2010. The factory, being built at Nissan's existing plant in Smyrna, is capable of making up to 150,000 rechargeable Leaf hatchbacks a year. Production is set to begin at the end of 2012. (Kyodo)

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

Nissan breaks ground on EV car factory in Tennessee

SMYRNA, United States - Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn (L) speaks at a news conference in Smyrna, Tennessee, on May 26, 2010, after attending a ground-breaking ceremony for a factory there to assemble electric vehicles. (Kyodo)