Nissan, Unplugged

Let's call it “The Case of Nissan Unplugged.”

The story of the giant carmaker trying to kill its own all-electric, zero-emission Hyperminis used by Pasadena city workers is one of bad timing, horrible policymaking and bonehead public relations.

Ever since the folks at the giant Japanese automaker announced it will confiscate the city's fleet of mint-and-silver-colored cars and destroy them, it has raised a ruckus in the San Gabriel Valley green community and at Pasadena City Hall. As it should.

Has the giant auto label heard the news that there is an oil crisis in this country? That gasoline in California is at $3.19 a gallon for regular and pipeline corrosion has slowed the flow of crude from Alaska, curtailing one-tenth of California's supply? Has anyone at Nissan heard of the state's smog problems? Do they know the promise electric cars hold for clean air and how electrics on the road are a good marketing tool? Have they seen the incredible run on Toyota hybrid cars (mostly the famously popular Prius)that have been jumping out of showrooms?

Apparently not. If they had, they wouldn't be attempting to send these few electric cars to a demolition man in Anaheim. Talk about bad PR moves, it only gets worse: On Tuesday, Nissan sent a tow truck to the Pasadena City Yard. But they were thwarted by alert Pasadena Water and Power employees. The cars were blocked from being towed so the tow trucks left empty, to the cheers of Paul Scott, co-founder of Plug In America, which is campaigning for carmakers to keep existing electrics on the road.

The city is reviewing the leasing contract with Nissan and until the city attorney's review is complete, the cars should not go anywhere.

That sounds logical to us, even though again, the logic escapes Nissan. They say, their move from Gardena to Nashville, Tenn., means it can no longer service the cars. Thanks, thanks a lot. First, they take their business out of California, then their innovation from our streets? Talk about rubbing salt in the wounds.

Turns out, the city's mechanics said they don't need Nissan's help, they can service the electric cars themselves. In fact, Nissan hasn't been doing diddly since the cars have been tooling around city streets just fine. Yeah, but we bet the dealer's service department offers great coffee and donuts.

One of the most ironic statements comes from the city, which, with a wink, says it is not taking an activist role by pursuing ways to keep the electric cars in its fleet. Perhaps it is time for some activism against oil companies and automakers who thumb their noses at the oil crisis, environmental concerns, as well as a willing customer base all for the sake of larger corporate profits.

If not for the right reason, Nissan should do it to avoid more humiliation. If Nissan is not aware of the lessons learned, it ought send a corporate CEO to the Laemmle One Colorado Cinemas in Old Pasadena which is getting packed audiences for the movie: "Who Killed the Electric Car?"

Maybe it can start on a new road by answering the question, “Not us.”