Nissan CEO: Powertrain Flexibility Is Key To Tackling Wavering EV Demands

updated second-generation Nissan Leaf EV.

Electric Vehicles (EV) have been the chosen way of future transportation to replace combustion engines and also for a healthier planet. However, EV market demands have seen fluctuation of late due to several reasons.  

In light of the latter, Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida says that a ‘flexible’ mix of powertrains is needed to tackle this fluctuating demand for electric vehicles worldwide.

The exec’s remarks stem from his opening remarks during the 2024 Financial Times Future of the Car conference. Said event saw Uchida presenting a summary of Nissan's worldwide performance and the company's ongoing electrification efforts. 

Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida. The exec believes that powertrain flexibility is key towards mitigating fluctuating EV demands.

Nevertheless, Uchida also added that Nissan will be committed to its long-term goals for electrification as detailed in its ambitious new Arc business plan that called for 30 new models launched over the next two years. Of which, 16 will be electrified, and will allow the Japanese automaker to  achieve a 40% global sales mix of electrified cars by 2026. 

This plan is designed to adapt to an uncertain market environment and maintain a foothold in markets that are slower to move to electric vehicles (EVs).  Uchida did note that the company's ultimate goal will be the same, but the pace of the roadmap might have to be flexibly adjusted.

"We are still keeping our goals, but the pace of the roadmap might have to be flexibly adjusted. It's a matter of whether we can provide the appropriate product to the customer demand - and of course, customer acceptance and taste will need to be carefully monitored,” he said.

Nissan's new 'Arc' business plan calls for no less than 30 new models launched over the next two years, and 16 of which will be electrified - either fully or partially.

Nissan has hinted at replacing key models like the Juke and Qashqai crossovers with electric equivalents in the coming years. Also in the pipelines is a new third-generation Leaf EV, along with a Micra replacement that will reportedly underpin Renault's new 5 electric supermini. 

In China, Nissan will launch five new EVs, all developed in collaboration with joint-venture partner Dongfeng. These cars will be engineered and designed specifically to cater to Chinese market demands and tastes.

In other words, these will be made “in China for China,” but there’s a possibility these could also be exported overseas. That’s because Nissan has "excess capacity" in its Chinese factories, but emphasised that they will be developed chiefly with China in mind. KR

Source: Autocar UK