Nissan targets 1 million EV sales by 2022

NISSAN Motor Corporation has stated its ambition to sell more than one million electrified vehicles globally by 2022, an aim spearheaded by a product offensive in China and the development of eight new emissions-free models.

The plan, dubbed ‘MOVE to 2022’, will also see Infiniti models adopt electrification from 2021 and increased connectivity across Nissan’s line-up, while 20 models across 20 markets will launch with ProPilot self-driving technology.

Targeting the world’s largest market, Nissan will launch a new small car for China later this year using technology based on the Leaf EV, as well as a more affordable EV borne from its eGT New Energy Automotive joint-venture partnership with Dongfeng Motor Group.

Nissan said the cheaper EV will be based on an “A-segment SUV platform”, which could size the still-secret emissions-free vehicle against the likes of the Suzuki Ignis or Mini Countryman.

The Japanese car-maker will also develop two other electrified models for Dongfeng subsidiary Venucia to complete its Chinese-market EV assault.

In its home market, Nissan will roll out more range-extender e-Power models that use a small-displacement petrol engine to charge an electric motor driving the wheels.

Nissan did not detail which models would be next in line to receive an e-Power variant, but reiterated its intention to bring an electric ‘kei’ mini-car to its home market.

The Note hatchback and Serena people-mover are currently the only vehicles offered with the e-Power drivetrain.

While none of the aforementioned models are expected to hit Australian showrooms, the Japanese car-maker is also plotting a global electric SUV “inspired by the Nissan IMx concept” that could make its way Down Under to share showroom space with the all-electric Leaf due later this year.

By 2025, Nissan expects 35-40 per cent of its sales in China will be in vehicles with electrified powertrains, while in the US the mix is only projected to be 20-30 per cent.

The brand also expects that, by 2022, 40 per cent of its sales in Japan and Europe will be made up of electrified vehicles, which is anticipated to swell to 50 per cent by 2025.

Nissan’s luxury brand Infiniti will also adopt e-Power technology in its models over the next three years, and expects half of its sales to be with electrified vehicles by the middle of next decade.

For context, last year 12,333 electric and hybrid vehicles were registered in Australia, accounting for just 1.04 per cent of the new-vehicle market.

In addition to electrified vehicles, Nissan will ramp up its connectivity and mobility services with all cars from the Japanese brand to be sold compatible with the ‘Alliance Connected Cloud’.

Nissan senior vice-president Ogi Redzic explained that the new service will pave the way for connected driving and allow vehicles to be updated from almost anywhere.

“The Alliance Connected Cloud will allow for all of the Alliance companies to integrate the data management of future, current and past connected vehicles – new models and those already on the road,” he said.

“It will support infotainment services, as well as a single communication mechanisms to facilitate updates over the air for all vehicles.”

The system will form the basis of future services including robo-vehicle ride hailing, which Nissan aims to bring to market in the early 2020s.

Complementing the new service will be the widespread roll out of Nissan’s ProPilot self-driving technology across 20 models in 20 markets by 2022.

Nissan senior vice-president Takao Asami said: “We continue to evolve autonomous technology towards hands-free, eyes-off convenience in all environments.

“Already we have more vehicles on the road with semi-autonomous capabilities than any other auto-maker, and we continue to learn from this experience to bring benefits to customers.”

Nissan chief planning officer Philippe Klein said the MOVE to 2022 plan will keep the Japanese brand at the forefront of new and emerging vehicle trends.

“Our product and technology strategy is dedicated to positioning Nissan to lead the automotive, technology and business evolution,” he said.

“Our efforts are focused on delivering Nissan Intelligent Mobility, encompassing the three core elements of electrification, autonomous drive, connectivity and new mobility services.”