Nissan Motor Co. will start an online leasing service for new cars on Saturday, The Yomiuri Shimbun has learned. The company plans to start the online service in the Sapporo area, in addition to the Tokai region, where their cars had already been test-marketed under the system. Nissan plans to expand the service nationwide gradually.
Under the system, dubbed Nissan ClickMobi, customers can order a new car and have it delivered to their home. Under a three-, five- or seven-year contract, customers are charged a monthly fee to use the car. Customers can purchase the vehicle after the expiration of the contract. The monthly fee is set in consideration of the price of the car, automobile tax, auto liability insurance premium and auto inspection fees, among others. The potential sale price at the end is also considered, making the fee lower.
Among cars to be available for the leasing program are the Serena minivan, the Note subcompact and the Dayz minivehicle. Nissan plans to increase the number of models available for the service.
Online car leasing services are rare for Japanese automakers since the practice could affect the business of their retail outlets, although foreign automakers such as major U.S. electric car maker Tesla are active in the area.
But Nissan is said to have thought that an increase in leasing customers will lead to a rise in demand for mandatory vehicle inspections and regular inspections, and that will also greatly benefit dealers.
It is also thought that the online system might appeal to customers who do not want to go to dealerships because of the spread of the new coronavirus.
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