#2012NissanLEAF

Nissan has just unveiled its 2013 Leaf in Japan, announcing that the car is getting a boost in range and a lower price for the Japanese market.

Sales of the Nissan Leaf have been stumbling as of late, with the Chevy Volt trumping it several months in a row. A few Nissan dealers are now offering the EV with up to $5,000 off its MSRP of $38,100 hoping to entice hesitant buyers to pull the trigger.

It’s been one year since the Nissan Leaf hit North America, and to celebrate, the automaker is going to expand this EVs availability into new U.S. markets.

At this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the 32nd annual Car of the Year Japan Awards saw the Nissan Leaf emerge as the overall winner, despite some fairly stiff competition.

The 2011 and 2012 Nissan Leaf for earned five stars  in crash testing performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In response to what it says is feedback from thousands of customers who’ve already driven the Nissan LEAF for extended periods of time, the Japanese automaker is instigating a few changes on the 2012 model as well as hiking prices.