After a challenging year of sales declines and a failed potential merger with Honda, Nissan wants to make it clear that it’s not going anywhere.
And based on the most recent announcements from the Japanese automaker, it appears Nissan is pinning its comeback hopes on an array of new and redesigned models, all due to hit the market by 2027.
There are 10 in fact, and the company says these new entries will span both the Nissan brand and its higher-end counterpart, Infiniti.
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One notable remake that’s generating a lot of attention is the Nissan Leaf, a revision that takes one of the first EVs to hit the market way back in 2009 and gives it a modern day twist. While Nissan revealed last year that it would be discontinuing the Leaf, it now says the model that was once a small hatchback will return as a compact SUV. With updated charging technology, moonroof, 19-in. wheels and a sleek exterior, Kelly Blue Book says the revision might be “enough to get the Leaf firmly back into the EV conversation.”
Nissan offers fewer details on some of its other model changes, but we do know that it plans to unveil a 4th generation of the best-selling Rogue SUV, this time with a plug-in hybrid option. A new, larger Sentra is also in the works, as is a refreshed Pathfinder, and Car and Driver even speculates we could see an all-electric Altima.
As for Infiniti, the word on the street is that the brand will release a two-row fastback version of the QX60 – the QX65 – as well as its own version of an “adventure-focused” electric SUV that Nissan has in the works for 2027.
Last but not least, there will be sports cars.
Incoming Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa says they’re still important to the Nissan brand and Car and Driver reports that the Z model is “part of the plan,” as is “a halo vehicle like the GT-R.”
One other update on Nissan that bears mention – though not product related – is the status of those aforementioned merger talks with Honda. Many reports over the past month pronounced any prospective deals dead, but Espinosa suggests observers hold up: in reality, Nissan is said to be "very open" to partnerships and Espinosa confirmed that the company is still talking to Honda.
Notably, the Financial Times reported in February that Honda would come back to the table, potentially, on the condition that now-outgoing CEO Makoto Uchida would resign – a wish that will be fully realized on April 1st when Espinosa takes the helm.
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WEBVTT
X-TIMESTAMP-MAP=LOCAL:00:00:00.000,MPEGTS:0
00:00.239 --> 00:05.070
After a challenging year of sales declines and
a failed potential merger with Honda,
00:05.440 --> 00:08.229
Nissan wants to make it clear that it's not
going anywhere.
00:08.479 --> 00:11.159
And based on the most recent announcements from
the Japanese automaker,
00:11.369 --> 00:16.670
it appears Nissan is pinning its comeback hopes
on an array of new and redesigned models,
00:16.680 --> 00:18.920
all due to hit the.
Market by 2027.
00:19.010 --> 00:22.940
There are 10, in fact, and the company says
that these new entries will span both the
00:22.940 --> 00:25.889
Nissan brand and its higher-end counterpart
Infiniti.
00:26.129 --> 00:29.920
One notable remake that's generating a lot of
attention is the Nissan Leaf,
00:30.129 --> 00:34.729
a revision that takes one of the first EVs to
hit the market way back in 2009.
00:35.080 --> 00:38.270
And give it a modern day twist.
While Nissan revealed last year that it would
00:38.270 --> 00:42.869
be discontinuing the Leaf, it now says the
model that was once a small hatchback will
00:42.869 --> 00:47.020
return as a compact SUV with updated charging
technology, moon roof,
00:47.069 --> 00:51.150
19 inch wheels, and a sleek exterior, Kelley
Blueook says the revision might be enough to
00:51.150 --> 00:54.020
get the Leaf firmly back into the EV
conversation.
00:54.189 --> 00:57.560
Nissan offers fewer details on some of its
other model changes,
00:57.669 --> 01:00.976
but we do know.
That it plans to unveil a 4th generation of the
01:00.976 --> 01:04.466
best-selling Rogue SUV this time with a plug-in
hybrid option.
01:04.615 --> 01:09.085
A new larger Sentra is also in the works, as is
a refreshed Pathfinder,
01:09.125 --> 01:12.765
and Car and Driver even speculates we could see
an all-electric Ultima.
01:12.975 --> 01:17.195
As for Infinity, the word on the street is that
the brand will release a 2 row fastback version
01:17.195 --> 01:21.316
of the QX 60, the QX 65, as well as its own
version.
01:21.452 --> 01:26.552
Of an adventure focused electric SUV that
Nissan has in the works for 2027.
01:26.802 --> 01:32.291
Last but not least, there will be sports cars.
Incoming Nissan CEO Ivan Espinoza says that
01:32.291 --> 01:36.931
they're still important to the Nissan brand,
and Car and Driver reports that the Z model is
01:36.931 --> 01:40.251
part of the plan, as is a halo vehicle like the
GTR.
01:40.561 --> 01:44.561
One other update on Nissan that bears mention,
though not product related.
01:44.790 --> 01:48.220
Is the status of those aforementioned merger
talks with Honda.
01:48.339 --> 01:51.699
Many reports over the past month pronounced any
prospective deals dead.
01:52.059 --> 01:55.209
But Espinoza suggests observers hold up.
In reality,
01:55.330 --> 02:00.290
Nissan is said to be very open to partnerships,
and Espinoza confirmed that the company is
02:00.290 --> 02:05.010
still talking to Honda, notably, the Financial
Times reported in February that Honda would
02:05.010 --> 02:10.529
come back to the table potentially on the
condition that now outgoing CEO Makoto Uchida
02:10.529 --> 02:15.490
would resign, a wish that will be fully
realized on April 1 when Espinoza takes the
02:15.490 --> 02:16.570
helm.
I'm Eta Wells.
02:16.580 --> 02:17.610
This is manufacturing now.
