Nissan plans to unveil a new three-year development strategy on May 28, according to an informed source familiar with the automaker's plans. The key focus will be strengthening the brand's presence in North America by updating its lineup and expanding its dealer network. At the same time, the company intends to ease rivalry and increase cooperation with alliance partners Renault and Mitsubishi.
As a Reuters representative noted, in 2020 Nissan will cut investment in research and development compared to 2019 figures, redirecting freed-up funds to "key markets and main models." "Nissan is not just cutting costs but optimizing current processes, creating a foundation for future growth," Reuters quotes the insider as saying.
Currently, Nissan's European lineup includes the Qashqai, Juke, and X-Trail crossovers, the Micra compact hatchback, as well as the GT-R and 370Z sports cars. The lineup is complemented by the electric Leaf and E-NV200. Last year, over 394,000 Nissan vehicles were sold in Europe, which is 19.6% less than in 2018.
Due to the partial closure of plants, which the new strategy entails, annual production volume will decrease from the current seven million to 5.5 million cars.
