Nissan has announced a rationalization plan for its global car lineup, aiming to eliminate models considered less performing and focus resources on those capable of ensuring greater profitability. In the long term, the Japanese company also plans to implement autonomous driving technology based on artificial intelligence on about 90% of its fleet, as part of a strategy designed to relaunch after years of difficulties.
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Nissan reduces the number of models
The new path is part of the restructuring outlined by CEO Ivan Espinosa last year. The changes include a reduction in the total number of models from 56 to 45, accompanied by ambitious commercial goals. Nissan aims to achieve annual sales of 1 million vehicles both in the USA and China by fiscal year 2030, while for Japan the target is to reach 550,000 cars in the same timeframe. Espinosa also presented some lineup novelties, including a hybrid version of the Rogue SUV (known as X-Trail in Japan) and an electric variant of the Juke model, emphasizing that the approach will be “anchored to profitability” and built around a leaner and stronger lineup.
Focus on autonomous driving and AI
Additionally, the company intends to expand vehicle propulsion options and reinvest in growth. On the operational and technological front, Nissan stated it will provide an update on the restructuring plan status during the year-end financial results presentation next month, announcing further details throughout the year. As part of the relaunch, the Japanese company is reducing its global production presence and cutting the workforce by 15%.
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International expansion
The strategy also includes a push for international expansion: in China, exports are expected to become a pillar, with shipments of models like the electric sedan N7 to Latin America and ASEAN and the Frontier Pro pickup to the Middle East, as well as other markets. Furthermore, Nissan aims to increase local production in the USA from about 60% to 80% over time. In Japan, finally, the company will introduce a series of compact cars starting from fiscal year 2028, with the target of achieving full autonomous driving on the new Elgrand minivan by the end of fiscal year 2027. In Tokyo, a robotaxi pilot program is expected to start by the end of this year thanks to a partnership with Uber Technologies and the British startup Wayve.
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