NZ a quiet achiever with Nissan global push

Just a handful of new models cited for this part of the world.

AMBITION by Nissan to debut 30 new models by 2027 seems unlikely to make much difference to New Zealand, as just a couple appear destined for us - including one already here, with a Mitsubishi badge.

The firm’s latest business plan, called ‘The Arc’, aims to increase global sales by a million units while also cutting costs to improve its bottom line. 

Of the new models proposed, Nissan says 16 will be electrified, of which half are to be battery electric vehicles. 

For the Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania region into which New Zealand falls, the business plan states it will receive five of the global planned BEVs – including a new Leaf, whose production starts in 2026 – and six internal combustion engine (ICE) models.

However the rollout specific for Oceania will comprise just four vehicles. 

One of those is the next-generation Navara, which Nissan has again enforced will develop from the recently launched Mitsubishi Triton ute (above). A Nissan statement says the “new one-tonne pickup (is) leveraging Nissan’s partnership with Mitsubishi Motors”. 

The plan also identifies a new C-segment electric SUV, which could be the Ariya (below) that releases in a matter of weeks.

Images released when ‘The Arc’ was outlined suggest a new generation of the make’s largest sports utility, the Patrol, could be coming to replace the now ancient incumbent. There’s conjecture an electric successor to the Juke could be en route.. 

Under this plan, Nissan aims to grow operating profit by six percent by the end of the financial year to March 2027 and bolster total shareholder returns to more than 30 percent. 

Nissan says it expects most of the gain to come from electrified models with EVs to account for approximately 20 percent of its global sales within three years. Hybrids will account for a further 20 percent. The remaining 60 percent will be achieved by internal combustion-powered models. 

 That ratio will grow to see electrified models take a 60 per cent share of Nissan’s global sales by the end of the decade. 

Nissan said it aims to reduce the cost of EV production by 30 percent – making them cost comparable with ICE vehicles – by the end of this decade. 

 Biggest brand effort is in the Americas, China, Africa and its home market, where Nissan will launch five new models and refresh 80 percent of the passenger vehicle line-up. 

The Arc plan further includes proposals to accelerate the evolution of vehicle intelligence technologies, including those for autonomous driving and parking.  

Nissan will also move to offer enhanced NCM lithium-ion, LFP, and sold state batteries to “meet different customer needs”. It says new battery technology will offer greater energy density and reduced cost, while also offering faster charging times.  

New EVs with enhanced NCM li-ion, LFP and all-solid-state batteries will be launched in fiscal year 2028. 

Nissan NZ, which reports to Nissan Australia, has said nothing about The Arc.