Nissan locks in launch timing for brand spanking new Micra, Leaf EVs

The reborn, electric-only Nissan Micra and a new-generation Leaf are due to enter manufacturing throughout the subsequent 12 months or so, giving the Japanese model extra opponents in a rising market.

In a presentation final week, Nissan detailed seven of its subsequent fashions to launch, which included two hybrids, two ‘refreshed fashions’ and three electrical autos (EVs).

One of many two EVs was the already revealed N7, which shall be a China market-only sedan produced by three way partnership Dongfeng Nissan.

Nonetheless, the 2 different EVs have been the “future model of [the] Leaf”, in addition to an “all new compact EV”, each of that are on account of enter manufacturing this Japanese fiscal yr.

Japanese fiscal yr 2025 runs from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

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Although the “compact EV” wasn’t given a reputation, its daytime operating mild (DRL) design means it’s nearly definitely the reborn electrical Nissan Micra, first teased in 2022.

It’s set to be primarily based on the CMF B-EV structure that underpins the retro-inspired Renault 5 E-Tech.

Manufacturing-ready designs and specs have but to be locked in, nonetheless it’s understood the Micra EV will intently observe the seems to be of the idea from three years in the past.

In comparison with the Renault 5 E-Tech, this implies softer strains, a extra flowing silhouette, and round driving lights recalling the spherical headlights employed by three generations of the favored micro automotive.

It’s unclear whether or not any of the Renault’s powertrains will carry throughout, which at the moment contains three single-motor choices with as much as 110kW and 245Nm, fed by batteries as much as 52kWh in capability.

We do nonetheless know a bit extra concerning the upcoming third-generation Nissan Leaf, which is able to ditch its hatchback roots to turn into a coupe-styled SUV, taking inspiration from the Chill-Out idea revealed in 2021.

Spy photographs have proven its form has modified dramatically from that of its hatchback predecessors, with a raised experience top and sloping coupe-like roofline, whereas the rear doorways look like opened by way of a deal with close to the C-pillar, moderately than on the precise door pores and skin.

The Leaf shall be underpinned by the bigger CMF-EV platform which not solely underpins the Nissan Ariya but additionally Renault’s Megane E-Tech and Scenic E-Tech.

This structure helps single- and dual-motor layouts with energy outputs starting from 160kW to 290kW within the Ariya, and battery capacities between 65kWh and 90kWh.

It’s understood the Sunderland manufacturing facility within the UK which constructed the earlier two generations of Leaf for Australia will proceed to produce the native market with the third-gen EV.

The plant lately acquired an funding of £3 billion ($5.8bn) in direction of upgrades for future fashions, such because the Leaf and new-generation, electrical variations of the Qashqai and Juke. 

Each the electrical Micra and new Leaf are coming at a important time for Nissan, which has been dealing with monetary hardship.

Final week – in the identical presentation because the automobile teaser – Nissan pulled out of a proposed merger with Honda and introduced the closure of factories and subsequent job cuts.

Nissan is planning to chop 400 billion Yen ($4.14 billion) in prices by the 2026 Japanese fiscal yr.

For context, its working revenue slid from 478.4 billion Yen ($4.69 billion) in April to December 2023 to 64 billion Yen ($663 million) throughout the identical interval in 2024. Its web revenue additionally dropped by 320.2 billion Yen ($3.3 billion) to five.1 billion Yen ($52.8 million).

Nissan final week repeated it expects to chop world manufacturing capability by 20 per cent from 5 million autos to 4 million by April 2026.

Nonetheless, it hasn’t but made any changes to its plans of rolling out 35 EVs by 2030 unfold throughout 5 totally different platforms.

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