I disagree with the program, but Nissan will pay back its loans. The article is trying to equate Nissan with Solyndra — it’s a bad analogy.
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.