Nissan
Compare Nissan…Manufactures and sells vehicles, including sedans, compact cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun brands worldwide.
SectorsElectric Vehicles
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NissanManufactures and sells vehicles, including sedans, compact cars, SUVs, and electric vehicles under the Nissan, Infiniti, and Datsun brands worldwide.
Countries and regions where Nissan Motor Corporation passenger cars are sold
A BEV pioneer with the Leaf, the world's first mass-market electric car, now complemented by the Ariya crossover SUV. Delivered ~90K BEVs globally in 2024 while navigating a broader corporate restructuring and potential merger discussions with Honda. Plans to launch 27 electrified models by 2030 with next-gen solid-state battery technology developed through its AESC joint venture.
Key Milestones
Nissan Motor Co. founded in Yokohama as DAT Jidosha Seizo — adopts Nissan name in 1934; alliance with Renault formed 1999 under Carlos Ghosn rescuing Nissan from near-bankruptcy.
Nissan launches Tama EV — a battery-powered post-war commercial vehicle for Japan's gasoline-rationed era; ~1,100 units produced before lead-acid battery limitations and post-war fuel availability ended the program.
Unveils LEAF as the world's first series-produced battery EV — redefining mass-market electric mobility and establishing Nissan-Renault as the global EV leader of the early 2010s.
First-generation LEAF customer deliveries begin in Japan and U.S. — the first mass-market BEV in modern history at $32K starting price; through 2013 LEAF leads global BEV sales.
Second-generation LEAF launches with 40 kWh/150-mile range and ProPILOT driver assist — but Nissan loses early EV-leadership momentum to Tesla Model 3 and Chevrolet Bolt.
Carlos Ghosn arrested in Tokyo on financial misconduct charges — triggering corporate-governance crisis that derails Nissan's EV strategy execution and weakens the Renault Alliance for years.
Unveils Ariya — Nissan's first dedicated next-gen EV crossover on the new CMF-EV platform shared with Renault; the model is intended to mark Nissan's BEV recovery after the LEAF era.
500,000th LEAF rolls off assembly line on World EV Day — the model remains a global EV pioneer for a decade; cumulative LEAF sales make it the best-selling EV ever at the time.
Ariya enters production in Tochigi, Japan — deliveries begin in domestic and select export markets; the Ariya ramp is delayed by chip shortages and software issues.
Announces 'Arc' plan with 30 new EV/electrified models by 2030 — pulls forward all-solid-state battery production targets to 2028; Nissan's third major electrification reset since 2017.
Cuts 9,000 jobs and 20% of global production capacity amid plunging China and U.S. EV/hybrid sales — Nissan's sharpest cost-cut since the 2008 financial crisis and a public admission of EV-strategy struggle.
Signs MOU with Honda to explore merger by 2026 — intended to combine EV R&D against BYD/Tesla; would have created the world's third-largest automaker by volume.
Honda merger talks collapse over governance and Nissan-as-subsidiary structure — Nissan continues alone; CEO Makoto Uchida resigns later in March 2025 with Ivan Espinosa named successor.
Reveals next-generation LEAF crossover-style EV — moving the model from hatchback to SUV silhouette, with NACS port for U.S. Supercharger access and a 75 kWh pack delivering 300+ mile EPA range.
