Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.’s LEAF electric car will be used as the bullpen car for baseball games at Yokohama Stadium, which will also feature a new Nissan billboard, from the 2017 season.
Nissan is returning to its hometown ballpark after almost two decades under a new sponsorship agreement with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team. The new billboard above the scoreboard will say, “EVs made with Nissan technology.” New signs will also be installed on the lighting towers.
Nissan cars including the Be-1 and S-Cargo were used as bullpen cars at Yokohama Stadium in the 1990s. Starting this spring, the 100 percent electric LEAF, featuring zero CO2 emissions, will represent Nissan Intelligent Mobility as it supports relief pitchers taking the mound.
“We are very pleased to be returning to Yokohama Stadium, which is a symbol of the city where Nissan was founded,” said Nissan senior vice president Asako Hoshino. “We are excited to support the BayStars, who are set to deliver a strong performance this year, through this sponsorship program.”
Introduced in 2010, the LEAF is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle with global sales totaling 260,000 units and has strong ties to the city of Yokohama and Kanagawa prefecture, where Nissan is based. The car is built at Nissan’s Oppama Plant and features batteries made at the Zama Operation Center, both located in Kanagawa. Key parts including the electric motor are made at Nissan’s Yokohama Plant.
Nissan is committed to achieving zero emissions and zero fatalities on the road by developing technologies including electric vehicles and autonomous driving. At the same time, Nissan is supporting the BayStars as they strive to win the league title and become Japan’s top team.
