I believe you’re correct about Nissan paying back the loan and it was no doubt used as an incentive to Nissan to manufacture the Leaf here.
Taxpayers are still footing the bill for the Leaf $7,500 tax credit though, just as we are with the Volt, Tesla, etc.
I hear you -- and I want that credit abolished. I just thought the author took a cheap-and-easy shot by implying Nissan was a fly-by-night outfit. Your point would have made a much more solid article.