Nikkei News: Nissan to Launch China-made Electric Vehicle Export Strategy in 2026, First Model N7 Enters Southeast Asia and Middle East Markets

Nikkei News reported on July 5 that Nissan announced it will launch an electric vehicle export strategy from China in 2026, targeting markets including Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The first exported model is the N7, an electric sedan that has performed well in the Chinese market — this car was fully designed and developed by the joint venture between Dongfeng Nissan, and within 18 days of its launch, orders exceeded 10,000 units, and within 45 days, cumulative deliveries reached 10,000 units.

Nissan China subsidiary will establish a joint venture with the Dongfeng Motor Group to handle actual business such as customs clearance for exports, with Nissan holding 60% equity, highlighting its confidence in the cost-performance advantages of Chinese-made electric vehicles.

The N7 is positioned as a mid-to-large-sized pure electric sedan, with a starting price of only 119,900 RMB, offering two battery versions of 58kWh and 73kWh, with a maximum range of 625 kilometers (CLTC), and sales reached 3,034 units in May, a 356.24% increase compared to the previous month.

This export plan is a key part of Nissan's global restructuring. Faced with continued pressure on performance, Nissan has announced a restructuring plan that includes cutting 20,000 jobs and reducing the number of global factories from 17 to 10. For the 2024 fiscal year, it is expected to report a net loss of 7.5 billion yen, the highest in history.

The former CEO Carlos Ghosn recently sharply pointed out that Nissan has become a "boring, mediocre, and mired in the mud" company, and the lag in electrification has accelerated its marginalization.

In addition to the N7, Nissan also plans to introduce more electric and plug-in hybrid models in China. In the second half of 2025, it will launch its first plug-in hybrid pickup truck, and existing models, after independent redesigns, will also be added to the export lineup.

Nissan believes that China is already at the forefront of global electrification. The electric vehicles made in China have significant advantages in aspects such as driving range, in-car experience, and entertainment features, and emerging markets have a pressing demand for high-cost-performance Chinese-made electric vehicles.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1836803687962762/

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