Nissan, one of Australia’s best-selling car brands, is fighting for survival.
The Japanese carmaker’s longtime partner Renault has revealed plans to sell off its interests in Nissan, leaving a massive financial hole that needs to be filled ASAP.
Insiders claim Nissan has only 12-14 months to find a new investor and secure its future beyond 2025.
The Search for a New Investor
Reports suggest Nissan is on the lookout for a long-term, steady shareholder like a bank or insurance group to replace some of Renault’s equity holding. This comes as the company finalizes the terms of its new electric vehicle partnership with arch-rival Honda.
A Surprise Alliance with Honda?
In a shocking twist, Nissan is considering “all options” for its future, including having Honda buy some of its shares. The two Japanese carmakers have historically been fierce rivals, but an alliance could be a game-changer in the electric vehicle market.
The Rise of China’s EV Dominance
As China dominates the global electric vehicle market, Nissan and Honda are planning to join forces to combat the competition. The two companies are in talks to develop EV and software technology, which could help them gain traction in the North American market.
The Restructuring of Nissan
Nissan Motors president and CEO Makoto Uchida is overseeing a massive restructure of the company, which includes a series of measures to address declining sales in China and the US. The company is also considering forming an alliance with Honda and Mitsubishi to stay competitive.
The Hybrid Technology Gap
Nissan has been criticized for falling behind on hybrid technology, with rivals like Toyota, Hyundai, and Kia capitalizing on the boom in petrol-electric models. However, Nissan’s e-Power models, which use a petrol engine only as a generator for an electric motor and battery pack, are available in high-grade versions of the Qashqai small SUV and X-Trail family SUV in Australia.
New Models on the Horizon
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its future, Nissan has a raft of new or fresh models on the way in Australia, including a facelifted Qashqai due early in 2025. However, the brand still hasn’t launched the Ariya electric SUV in Australia, with some industry insiders questioning whether the model will ever actually go on sale in the country.