The Japanese automaker Nissan, in great difficulty, unveiled a new 100% electric model on Wednesday, the Ariya crossover, supposed to open a “new chapter” in the history of the group, according to its general manager Makoto Uchida. Nissan has not released a new model (excluding the renewal of existing models) since the Nissan Kicks in 2016. Ariya is also its first 100% electric model targeting the consumer car market since the Nissan Leaf, the first version of which came out ten years ago.
“Ariya opens a new chapter” in the history of Nissan and “will set the tone for future vehicles” of the group, said Mr. Uchida during an online presentation from Yokohama (southwest of Tokyo), where is located at the group’s global headquarters. The model “unites our two great strengths: electric vehicles and expertise in crossovers,” added Uchida, who also unveiled a modernized version of the Nissan logo on Wednesday.
Ariya promises a range of up to 610 km by Japanese testing standards. It will exist in two or four wheel drive version, and in two sizes of electric batteries. Nissan plans to start marketing in Japan from mid-2021, for a price of around 5 million yen (40,900 euros), before selling it in Europe, North America and China by the end 2021, according to a group press release.
In addition to its new 100% electric model, Nissan has unveiled a new logo, pictured here on the steering wheel of the Ariya crossover. Issei Kato / Reuters
Very weakened by a tarnished image, even before the resounding eviction of its big boss Carlos Ghosn in late 2018, Nissan suffered from a lack of renewal of its models. In its last financial year 2019/2020, ended March 31, the ally of the French Renault and his compatriot Mitsubishi Motors, hit hard by the global crisis caused by the pandemic of Covid-19, suffered a huge net loss of 671.2 billion yen (5.7 billion euros). The group announced at the end of May the intensification of a vast restructuring plan which now aims to reduce its global production capacity by around 20% by March 2024, notably through the closure of its sites in Barcelona (Spain ). At the same time, Nissan has set itself the goal of selling more than one million electrified vehicles per year (100% electric and hybrid) from 2023/2024, compared to 200,000 units in 2019/2020.
Beyond the Ariya, Nissan plans to launch seven other 100% electric vehicles by 2023, targeting the Japanese, Chinese and European markets as a priority. All types of engines combined, the group also plans to launch 12 new models in the next 18 months.
Source: AFP
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The Japanese automaker Nissan, in great difficulty, unveiled a new 100% electric model on Wednesday, the Ariya crossover, supposed to open a “new chapter” in the history of the group, according to its general manager Makoto Uchida. Nissan has not released a new model (excluding renewal of existing models) since the Nissan Kicks in 2016 ….
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