A MAJOR car brand has announced it will postpone the launch of its two new EV crossovers by nearly a year.
Struggling Nissan is delaying production at its factory in Canton, Mississippi, on the pair of vehicles – codenamed PZ1K and PZ1J – until November 2028 and March 2029 respectively, it is reported.
Workers are seen on the production line at Nissan’s Oppama plant in Yokosuka[/caption]
Nissan Juke cars stopped on the parking during a press launch[/caption]
Nissan Motor Corporation President and CEO Ivan Espinosa attends a press conference announcing the carmaker’s results for fiscal year 2024[/caption]
It comes after the Japanese car brand was reported to be “in talks” to hand its Oppama plant near Tokyo to Foxconn, the Taiwan tech firm behind Apple iPhones to help offset £4billion losses.
A Nissan spokesperson said: “We’ve made the strategic decision to slightly adjust the production timeline for our EVs at the Canton plant.
“Our goal is to ensure that this facility continues to bring highly competitive vehicles to market that exceed customer expectations.”
Earlier this year the manufacturer announced the “adventure-focused SUV” – which was originally due in 2027, with promo footage showing it resembled the Xterra.
While the Infiniti was slated for 2028, and was said to be drawing inspiration from the Vision QXe concept.
Nissan said at the time it would combine the “brand’s latest Artistry in Motion design language with a suite of technology features”.
It is the latest blow for the company, which dropped plans for two electric sedans.
CEO Ivan Espinosa previously announced major restructuring plans to help save the struggling carmaker.
The move led seven of Nissan’s 17 factories worldwide to cut their workforce by around 15 per cent.
The deal with Foxconn to build EVs at Oppama could save the plant from closure.
This could soften the blow of Nissan’s restructuring for the plant’s 3,900 workers and suppliers.
Espinosa, who replaced Makoto Uchida as CEO in April, is a Nissan veteran, and all eyes are currently on him to revive the company.
This comes after shares have fallen some 36% over the last year and dividend payments have been suspended, according to Reuters.
Reuters also claims that shareholders vented their frustrations over the automaker’s poor performance at the latest annual meeting, with some allegedly demanding greater management accountability for the deepening crisis at Japan’s third largest company.
The firm also told MPs earlier this year that it is due to round up 2025 with debts of £10billion.
This follows Nissan announcing they were on the brink of collapse at the beginning of the year, as it entered a make-or-break 12 months.
The Sun has reached out to Nissan for comment.
Do you know more? Email ryan.merrifield@thesun.co.uk
