Nissan’s EV strategy has suffered another blow following news that the all-electric Nissan Qashqai, which was due to make its debut this year, is no longer happening.
Announced in 2023 as part of the Japanese brand’s £3 billion (A$5.7 billion) investment in its Sunderland plant and wider European operations, plans to launch a zero-emission version of its best-selling small SUV were shelved early last year, according to Reuters.
According to sources, even if Nissan restarted development of the all-electric Qashqai, the small EV would not launch until 2030 at the earliest.
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The decision to axe the Qashqai EV comes as Nissan embarks on a sweeping global restructuring program aimed at slashing costs, with more than 20,000 jobs cut since last year.
Instead, Nissan is expected to rely on the new Leaf SUV, which is yet to go on sale in Australia, along with the next-generation Juke due in 2027, which will also be offered as an EV, to fill the gap left by the cancelled Qashqai EV.
In the United States, Nissan has also cancelled plans for two other electric SUVs, with the company instead focusing on expanding its e-Power hybrid technology across its model range.
To help secure the future of its Sunderland factory, Nissan is reportedly in talks with China’s Chery to build some of its vehicles on the production line originally earmarked for the Qashqai EV, with the Jaecoo, Omoda and Lepas brands all likely to benefit.
In Australia, Nissan is turning its prodct focus to China, lookign to tap into EVs and PHEVs such as the Frontier Pro ute developed there.
