The outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has significantly impacted Nissan’s sales and its performance in the market, thereby forcing them to come up with contingencies to reduce production costs. This had led to Nissan planning to cut down on the manufacture of various products, including NV vans and the 370 Z. The planned downsizing is among the company’s attempts to reduce expenditures starting in 2022.

Apart from downsizing their lineup for 2022, Nissan plans on taking other measures such as production plant closures, staff layoffs, and salary cuts for some of their staff.

The history of the Nissan brand

Since 1911, Nissan Motor Corporation has been the pride of Japan, founded initially as a Zaibatsu. The car manufacturer was initially referred to as Kwaishinsha Motor Car Works by Masujiro Hashimoto. In 1931, the company changed its name to Nissan Motor Corporation, denoting the abbreviations of the holding company Nihon Sangyo. 

The Datsun brand was among the first cars that Nissan manufactured, which gave the company a global outlook and recognition worldwide. Later on, the manufacturer expanded to several other vehicles and currently manufactures SUVs, minivans, trucks, sports cars, and commercial vehicles. Additionally, the company is also now a member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.

One of the most definitive moments in the company’s history is the entry and exit of former Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn. He was appointed Chairman of the corporation in 1996 to prevent it from bankruptcy. In 2018, BBC News reported that Ghosn was arrested for financial discrepancies, including underreporting his monetary income. These scandals, among others, significantly tainted Nissan’s reputation, and the current CEO, Makoto Uchida, was left with the responsibility of salvaging it.

The brand’s discontinued models for 2022

The 370Z

The 370Z is a coupe sports car first announced on October 29, 2006. The model is also known as the Fairlady Z and is distinct because of its V-6 engine power in Japan. It is the sixth generation of the Z sports car coupe, succeeding the 350Z. Production of the 370Z convertible halted last year and is set to be entirely faced out of the market by 2022.

According to J.D. Power, the new generation 2023 Nissan Z will replace the model.

Nissan Vans and the NV200

In 2019, Nissan announced that their lineup of Nissan vans would be no more. The 2021 model year was the last lineup, marking the end of a series of commercial vehicles that fared poorly in the market. According to J.D. Power, some vans whose production was halted and will not be on the market by 2022 include the purpose-built NV Cargo van and the 12-seat NV Passenger van.

Another casualty is the NV200, famous for its compact design customized to serve as a passenger vehicle. However, production of the model halted and is set to exit the market by 2022. The new Nissan Townstar will replace both the NV200 and the NV200e, and the rest of the light commercial vehicle lineup is set to get the latest updates as Nissan hopes to capture a broader market.

Nissan’s EV plans for the future

The company has joined other car manufacturers in their ambitions to produce electric vehicles. As the world embraces clean energy, most consumers are encouraged to buy EVs, increasing the demand for these models.

The 2023 Nissan Ariya is Nissan’s new electric SUV model. There is a rush by automakers to design electric SUV models to meet the current high demand in the market. The Ariya has a higher range than its competitors, and its dual-motor setup produces 389 horsepower, making it one of a kind.

This is the beginning of a journey that the company hopes to venture in the future as they aspire to play a significant role in shaping the auto world’s history.