Nissan to cut down global portfolio to 45 nameplates

MANILA: Recently, Nissan has unveiled three vehicles that are key to its RE:Nissan global strategy. These are the X-Trail e-POWER, XTerra, Skyline, and the Juke electric vehicle (EV). 

The introduction of those three cars, however, is just the tip of the iceberg for the Japanese brand as it plans to trim down its global product portfolio to just 45 nameplates. For reference, Nissan is currently selling 56 models across various regions worldwide. 

This, will of course, mean that a couple of global Nissan models will be dropped. However, it was not disclosed which cars will be axed due to the portfolio trim-down. We can be sure, however, that this is linked to the corporation's bid to save money, which was kicked off by the “rightsizing” of several manufacturing facilities. 

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RE:Nissan - model classifications

Nissan further explained that its future 45-strong global portfolio will also be subdivided into four different classifications:

• Heartbeat Model
• Core Model
• Growth Model
• Partner Model

As the brand explained, the “Heartbeat model” represents the company’s “emotional value” and “innovative spirit.” An example of this is the upcoming XTerra off-road sport utility vehicle, which is due for the United States in the near future. The Heartbeat Model for Japan, meanwhile, is the next-generation Skyline. 

With regard to the newly unveiled X-Trail e-POWER and Juke EV, both are “Core models” - moneymakers that support Nissan. 

Growth model, meanwhile, refers to cars that can “drive new demand,” whereas a “Partner model” is a vehicle that is developed and produced through collaborations with other car brands.

Development speed for its upcoming cars will also be streamlined through a new “product family strategy” that will drastically change how Nissan makes its cars. Instead of individual development cycles for every car model, it will now build vehicles based on an architecture, with multiple nameplates sharing a common platform, powertrain, and software packages. 

RE:Nissan - leading markets

Nissan also defined its “leading markets,” which include Japan, the United States, and China. As the Yokohama-headquartered brand disclosed, its sales targets for these markets are as follows: 

• Japan - 550,000 units by fiscal year 2030
• United States - 1 million units by fiscal year 2030
• China - 1 million units by fiscal year 2030

But while they aren’t included in the list above, the Japanese carmaker still considers the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Middle East, and Latin America to be crucial regions. 

Europe, India, and Africa, on the other hand, have been tagged by the Japanese marque as areas where it can expand further in the years to come. 

As the company further shared, 90 percent of these, at least in the near future, will be “equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) drive technology.” No exact automotive applications have been disclosed by the brand yet, but it has something to do with designing and producing “AI-defined vehicles.” 

If we take a gander at Nissan’s current projects, the brand has already partnered up with AI self-driving company Wayve to produce Leaf-based robotaxis. Wayve is also involved in developing the next-generation ProPILOT, underscoring the system's heavy reliance on AI. 

Do you think that these new strategies under RE:Nissan will help the brand regain its foothold in the global market? 

Also read:

Nissan debuts all-new Kicks e-Power in Thailand

Nissan Formula E Team renews partnership with Alpine Tech

Nissan PH appoints Kanazawa as president

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