Nissan Leaf attracts new customers; Mercedes plans sporty compact car

(Nissan)

New customers
Nissan has accepted 14,000 orders for its Leaf electric vehicle -- 90 percent of which are from buyers who don't own a Nissan product. The reservations -- which required $99 deposits -- are refundable if buyers decide against buying the Leaf. A marketing test-drive promotion begins this fall.

(Mercedes-Benz)

Compact Benz
Mercedes-Benz plans to meld luxury, performance and four-cylinder economy when it launches its A Class in North America in 2013. The sporty compact (shown above) will arrive as a five-door hatchback with a 270-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and will compete with the Ford Focus RS and Volkswagen Golf R.