Nissan aims to boost global EV sales and boost U.S. production

Nissan Motor on Monday raised its sales targets for electrified cars and said it would boost production of powertrains in the United States, as it seeks to catch up in a segment dominated by new automakers such as Tesla. .

The Japanese automaker pioneered electric vehicles (EVs) with its all-battery-powered Leaf, but has struggled alongside many traditional automakers in the face of growing competition from more nimble new entrants.

Nissan is now aiming for electrified vehicles – which include its advanced electric-powered hybrid cars – to account for more than 55% of global sales by fiscal year 2030, up from a previous target of 50%, it said. .

The EV mix will increase to 44% by fiscal year 2026, from an earlier target of 40%, Nissan said.

The automaker plans 27 new electrified vehicles by this year, 19 of which will be battery-electric vehicles, it said in a statement. This compared to its previous plan of 23 electrified vehicles, including 15 battery electric vehicles.

In addition to producing electric vehicles at its plant in Smyrna, Tennessee, Nissan plans to build electric trains at its plant in Decherd in the same state to help meet the requirements of the Energy Reduction Act. inflation, chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said Monday.

The company plans to add a second source of US-produced batteries, he said, which would help Envision AESC’s existing supply. Nissan is confident it will be in compliance with the law due to the localization of battery production from 2026.

“The IRA is a challenge, but on the other hand it is an opportunity to accelerate competitive electrification,” he told an online briefing.

© Thomson Reuters 2023