Nissan Gifts Gold Medal-Winning Team GB Athletes with Golden Leaf
UK gold medallists returning from the Rio Olympics received a special gold-wrapped Nissan Leaf, as the automaker celebrated Team GB and ParalympicsGB success.
Nissan marked Team GB and ParalympicsGB's gold medal wins at the Rio 2016 Olympics by gifting each UK athlete who topped the podium a Nissan Leaf wrapped in a distinctive bright gold finish. The gesture underlined the carmaker's support for British Olympic and Paralympic athletes, with the first of the golden Leafs presented to gymnast Max Whitlock following his double gold in floor and pommel horse events.
The initiative extended to all UK athletes from both Team GB and ParalympicsGB who returned from Brazil with a gold medal. Each athlete received a single gold Leaf, irrespective of how many medals they won. Nissan's UK operation, which manufactures the Leaf at its Sunderland plant, was responsible for preparing the cars with the eye-catching wrap.
Why Nissan chose the Leaf and gold wrap
The Leaf, Nissan’s best-known electric vehicle, was chosen for its environmental credentials and its strong association with the brand’s UK manufacturing. The gold finish echoes a previous Nissan project for Usain Bolt, who received a gold GT-R for charity fundraising. Nissan’s Olympic partnership and its role as the official automotive partner for Team GB and ParalympicsGB provided the context for the gesture, intended to reward athletes and generate publicity for the Leaf.
The gold Leaf is mechanically identical to the standard car, with the wrap applied after production. No additional technical upgrades or commemorative badging were specified beyond the exterior finish. Nissan’s approach mirrors similar marketing initiatives seen in previous Olympic cycles, but few have been as visually striking as the gold Leaf fleet.
Team GB medal haul and Nissan’s Olympic tie-in
At the time of Nissan’s announcement, Team GB had claimed 16 gold medals, with the final tally still to be confirmed as the Games continued. The company’s public support for the athletes aligns with its broader Olympic sponsorship strategy and its efforts to promote electric vehicles in the UK market. Nissan previously celebrated the Leaf’s UK milestones, including local production and sales achievements, with similar publicity campaigns.
For more on the Leaf’s UK sales and milestones, seeNissan Leaf Reaches 50000 Sales Mark.
