Nissan Overhaul: 11 Models to Be Discontinued
- Nissan is implementing a strategic reduction of its global vehicle portfolio, cutting its total number of models from 56 to 45.
- The decision was announced during the Nissan Vision event as part of a broader effort to improve the company's international competitiveness.
- The model reductions are linked to the Re:Nissan turnaround plan, which has one year remaining.
Nissan is implementing a strategic reduction of its global vehicle portfolio, cutting its total number of models from 56 to 45. The automaker is discontinuing 11 low-performing models to reallocate capital toward growth areas, specifically electric vehicles, hybrids, and advanced technology.
The decision was announced during the Nissan Vision event as part of a broader effort to improve the company’s international competitiveness. This shift is driven largely by competition from Chinese automakers, who are expanding into North American, European, and South American markets with low-cost models featuring high-tech interfaces and driver assistance systems.
The Re:Nissan Turnaround Framework
The model reductions are linked to the Re:Nissan turnaround plan, which has one year remaining. This program was designed to create a leaner and more profitable corporate structure through several operational changes.
According to reports, the Re:Nissan initiative has already resulted in the following outcomes:
- Over $3 billion in cost cutting.
- The layoff of thousands of employees.
- A reduction in parts complexity.
- Shorter lead times in vehicle development.
- A reorganization of manufacturing centers.
Stephanie Brinley, associate director of AutoIntelligence at S&P Global Mobility, stated that the previous year focused on capacity choices and alignment for subsequent phases. Brinley noted that because the Re:Nissan program has one year remaining, there may be more changes to come
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Portfolio Shifts and New Product Strategy
While the company has not released a comprehensive public list of every discontinued vehicle, reports indicate that older sedan models and compact crossovers will be phased out. Vehicles with lower sales volumes, such as regional SUV versions and models similar to the Nissan Note and Micra, are expected to be among those removed from the lineup.
Nissan intends to replace these low-performing models with high-demand electric and eco-friendly alternatives. As part of this renewed business push, the company announced plans to bring the Skyline sports car and the Xterra SUV to market.
The company is also maintaining a powertrain diversity plan. By offering buyers more options for each new model, Nissan believes it can increase the sales volume per individual model.
One immediate example of this strategy is the Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid electric pickup truck. Production of this vehicle is currently underway in China, where it is being manufactured for export and sale.
Market Context and Future Outlook
The transition reflects a broader industry shift away from traditional petrol and diesel engines toward electric and hybrid models. Nissan is focusing its resources on smarter technology and cleaner mobility solutions to align with modern environmental requirements and consumer demand.
By reducing the global lineup by 11 models, the company aims to become more efficient and better positioned to compete against the aggressive expansion of Chinese manufacturers who are utilizing high-tech interfaces and eye-catching designs to capture global market share.