Renault-Nissan plan new electrified line up, US manufacturing operations as combustion engine investment dries up
The fully electric Nissan Leaf, Ariya and Townstar.
Nissan’s Ambition 2030 Plan has already called for 15 all-electric global models, and 23 electric-powertrain models total by 2030, and now the automaker has announced that it will not introduce any new pure internal combustion engine-powered passenger cars in Europe from 2023.
Nissan’s new electrified line-up promises “no compromise on excitement and driving pleasure” according to the company, and Nissan expects 75% of its sales mix in the European region to be electrified by FY2026, with the ambition to reach 100% by the end of the decade. It is targeting a mix of 40% electric vehicles in the United States for the same period.
Fully electric models include the Nissan Leaf, just-released Ariya, and Nissan Townstar, a fully electric compact light commercial vehicle.
Nissan hopes its Ariya Crossover will be a global sales success.
Hybrid models planned include the JUKE Hybrid, Qashqai e-POWER and X-Trail e-POWER. Nissan is also working on a comprehensive EV Energy Ecosystem, which explores initiatives to optimise and expand battery energy management capabilities. Nissan's flagship EV manufacturing hub, EV36Zero, based in Sunderland, UK – brings together vehicle and battery production, powered by renewables to set the blueprint for e-mobility manufacturing.
Nissan’s range of battery electric and plug in hybrid electric vehicles. Images: Nissan
Nissan to build two all-electric models in Mississippi
Nissan will also invest US$500 million to transform its Canton, MS assembly into a facility capable of building next-generation Nissan and Infiniti EV models starting in 2025. The partnership with local, county and state governments will preserve and upskill nearly 2,000 jobs according to the automaker.
Nissan has also set the goal to achieve carbon neutrality across the company’s global operations and the life cycle of its products by 2050 by pursuing further innovations in electrification and manufacturing technology.
The 2021 Nissan Chillout hints at the design of a possible Leaf replacement.
“For nearly two decades, Mississippians have kept our state at the forefront of the world’s automotive industry,” said Governor Tate Reeves. “The announcement that Nissan Canton is shifting some production to EVs further positions Mississippi as a leader in this crucial economic sector. We are a top state for automotive leaders, and this significant investment by Nissan in the Canton facility lets the world know that we are open for business and our workforce is ready to take on these in-demand jobs of the future.”
While South Carolina is the number one US state for auto and auto parts exports, Mississippi also generates a considerable amount of revenue and employs thousands within its auto industry. Companies such as Toyota, BorgWarner, Yokohama, Continental and Tiffin Motorhomes are based there, and Nissan has had a presence in Canton since 2003.
The highly-anticipated Nissan Ariya crossover is expected to launch in Europe during summer 2022, and Fall in the United States. Australian customers will have to wait until 2023 for a taste of car.