- Nissan will begin building its hybrid e-Power Rogue in Tennessee next year.
- The automaker plans to boost production of Armada and Infiniti QX80.
- It is also exploring a V6 hybrid powertrain as part of its new U.S. lineup
Nissan is confident it can grow its sales in the United States next year, thanks to the arrival of new models and its stronger focus on hybrid powertrains, shifting away from EVs amid softening demand growth.
The Japanese marque has been through a tumultuous year, roughly 12 months after its potentially industry-redefining merger with Honda collapsed, though a new report suggest the two sides are once again in discussions about joining forces in the United States.
Also: Honda And Nissan Are Planning Something Big For The USA
It has since embarked on an ambitious cost-cutting plan, which includes closing multiple factories. According to Nissan chief executive Ivan Espinosa, the company is now prioritizing its products and technology.
New Product Launches
Next year will see the debut of the hybrid e-Power Rogue in the U.S., placing Nissan head-to-head with electrified rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Sportage. Production of the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX80 will also ramp up, while 2026 will mark the first full year on sale for the redesigned Sentra.
And apparently, there’s more on the horizon. One project under consideration is an Infiniti spinoff of the Nissan Rogue compact crossover, slated for assembly at the Smyrna, Tennessee, plant to fill the gap left by the discontinued QX50.
“We should see offers in the C segment, in the D segment, and likely in the B segment. We see the hybridization accelerating very quickly,” Espinosa told Auto News.
Read: Nissan Suddenly Fast-Tracks Its First American Hybrid SUV
Espinosa also teased the possibility of adding more muscle to the lineup, noting that a V6 hybrid could play a role in Nissan’s future plans for larger vehicles.
“We’re considering what’s best in D segment. Of course, you have towing, you have many other things. So power is important,” he added. “You could do a V6 hybrid, for example.”
While Espinosa stopped short of revealing more about the potential V6 setup, early indications suggest it would differ from the company’s familiar e-Power range-extender system. The report also hinted that this powertrain could find its way into a future electrified pickup truck.
Sales Plateau And Prospects
Both Nissan and Infiniti will need every advantage they can muster. Nissan sold 924,008 vehicles in 2024 through its namesake and Infiniti brands, a 2.8 percent increase over 2023, but well down from the brand’s US record of 1.6 million sales in 2017. This year, sales are expected to remain flat.
“Next year we should be in a position to grow our sales,” Espinosa told the publication. “The fact that we have these new product lines coming in and having a full blast next year is definitely something that’s going to help.”
The company’s boss stopped short of providing an estimate as to how many vehicles Nissan expects to sell next year, likely eager not to set unrealistic expectations. Interestingly, he noted that the firm doesn’t “want to keep growing volume for volume’s sake.”
Tariffs For Nissan’s Hand
The Trump administration’s tariffs could not have come at a worse time for Nissan. The company had planned to cut a shift at its Smyrna, Tennessee, plant, but instead will increase production at the site with new versions of the Rogue.
“It will not make a lot of sense to stop a plant in the U.S. when you have tariffs,” Espinosa explained. “What could have been seen as a problem 18 months ago, is now a strength that we have because of the presence and the capability that we have,” he said. “It’s a good position to be in.”
