Nissan Motor Co. said Tuesday it will start selling its Leaf electric vehicle in South Africa in October as the country's first electric car.

The Leaf, which debuted in December 2010, has sold around 75,000 units globally so far, but its sales have not been as strong as expected due to its higher price compared with equivalent gasoline-engine vehicles as well as the lack of charging facilities.

Nissan is hoping the planned launch of the Leaf in South Africa will pave the way for the automaker to expand sales of the electric vehicle in other markets. The vehicle is already on sale in the United States and Europe.