Nissan to start shipping EVs from China in 2026
Japanese automaker eyes Southeast Asia and Middle East as destinations
GUANGZHOU, China -- Nissan Motor in 2026 will begin exporting electric vehicles from its plant in China to Southeast Asia, the Middle East and other markets, Nikkei has learned.
The struggling Japanese automaker is reviewing its manufacturing operations around the world. It hopes to achieve a quick business turnaround by selling made-in-China EVs, which are competitive in price and performance, to many other markets.
Among the EVs Nissan plans to ship from China is the N7 midsize sedan, which has been selling well in China since it was released there in April. The N7 is the first EV designed and developed by Nissan's joint venture in China, which selected the vehicle's components.
The N7 starts at 119,900 yuan ($16,733), the same price level as a competitive model from Chinese EV giant BYD. Nissan is producing the sedan at its plant in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.
The N7's software uses a Chinese company's artificial intelligence. Since some countries restrict use of Chinese-made AI, Nissan needs to change the software's specifications before it can ship the model out of China.
In a bid to develop software for an export model, Nissan has invested in IAT Automobile Technology, a leading Chinese EV developer. IAT's principal customers are Chinese EV makers.
Through a Chinese subsidiary, Nissan has agreed to establish a joint company with Dongfeng Motor, a major Chinese state-owned automaker, to take charge of customs clearance and other processes for exporting EVs from China. The subsidiary will hold a stake of around 60% in the joint company.
China has been spearheading the electrification of automobiles ahead of other countries. Chinese-made EVs are highly advanced in terms of range, comfort and other features. Nissan is betting that low-priced EVs made in China will arouse strong overseas demand.
In the wake of the N7's release, the Japanese automaker plans to market other EVs and plug-in hybrids in China. By the end of the year, Nissan will put its first electric pickup truck on the market.
BYD and other Chinese automakers have already begun to export models to Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Nissan hopes its maintenance service networks in such overseas markets will give it an edge over its rivals.
Nissan's struggles stem in part from a delay in releasing new models. In May, the company announced rehabilitation plans that include cutting 20,000 jobs and consolidating 17 plants into 10. While working on the selection of plants for closure, the company is pursuing an optimum supply system that positions EVs as its core products for the future.