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In a bid to regain investor confidence following a thwarted merger with Honda, Nissan (NSANY) is unveiling an ambitious roadmap for its product lineup while remaining open to potential partnerships.
During an event held near Tokyo, Nissan announced that it plans to introduce ten new and updated vehicles by 2027 for the North American market.
Among the anticipated models is a next-generation Sentra sedan, an upgraded Rogue SUV, and the much-anticipated return of the Xterra SUV, which will be reimagined as an electric vehicle (EV).
The Sentra has been a strong performer, with sales totaling around 109,000 units in the U.S., while the Rogue, with nearly 250,000 units sold, continues to be a pivotal model for the company. Updating key vehicles like the Kicks SUV, Altima sedan, and Frontier pickup will be crucial for maintaining Nissan’s market position.
At the same event, Nissan also showcased its redesigned Leaf EV, featuring a sportier exterior based on the latest Ariya EV architecture. The new Leaf promises improved efficiency and a greater driving range compared to its predecessor, with plans for its U.S. launch in the third quarter of this year.
Nissan’s recent challenges have been linked to overproduction, leading to excess inventory and the necessity to reduce prices to stimulate sales. The automaker has also encountered difficulties in expanding its product range, particularly in the Chinese market, where it has seen significant declines in sales.
According to Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s newly appointed CEO, enhancing their offerings with smart technology and more appealing products, especially for markets like China, will require substantial investment, which may necessitate finding partnerships. He expressed openness to collaborating with Honda or other companies that align with Nissan’s vision.
Espinosa’s predecessor, Makoto Uchida, stepped down following the dissolution of the merger talks with Honda. Although various reasons were cited for the failure of the negotiations, it was suggested that Uchida’s leadership was part of the problem, despite his acknowledgment of the necessity for future collaborations.
One of Espinosa’s key objectives is to explore new partnerships, which may extend beyond traditional automakers. His remarks indicate the potential for collaborations with companies that possess unique technological capabilities absent in conventional OEMs.
Speculation suggests that a partnership involving Taiwanese manufacturer Foxconn—who is pursuing ventures in the automotive space—could be in the works. Reports have circulated about a consortium that might include both Foxconn and Tesla, offering financial support to shore up Nissan’s operations while gaining access to its extensive manufacturing network in the United States.
Source
finance.yahoo.com