TOKYO, Japan: Nissan has halted improvement of an all-electric model of its top-selling Qashqai SUV in Europe because the Japanese automaker cuts prices and reduces the variety of fashions in its world lineup, six sources accustomed to the matter mentioned.
The resolution might depart Nissan trailing behind established rivals and Chinese newcomers in considered one of Europe’s most necessary electric-vehicle segments. If the undertaking is revived, the electrical Qashqai might not attain the market till the early 2030s, two of the sources mentioned.
Nissan introduced in 2023 that it could construct an electrical Qashqai at its Sunderland plant in northeast England. The British authorities welcomed the undertaking as a lift to the nation’s electric-vehicle manufacturing ambitions.
The firm didn’t give a launch date on the time. Development was halted early in 2025, based on sources who spoke on situation of anonymity as a result of sensitivity of the matter.
Nissan has since begun a significant world restructuring and is in discussions with the British authorities over monetary assist for an up to date plan for the Sunderland manufacturing facility, Reuters reported final week. An announcement anticipated within the coming months might make clear the corporate’s newest plans for the electrical Qashqai.
Nissan didn’t instantly tackle whether or not it had shelved the undertaking. It mentioned it remained dedicated to increasing its “electrified” lineup, which incorporates hybrid automobiles.
The firm mentioned Europe had seen “significant volatility” in demand for electrical automobiles and that it was pursuing a “balanced” electrification technique.
Nissan already produces the electrical Leaf at Sunderland and in April unveiled an electrical Juke crossover that can even be constructed on the plant.
The Qashqai stays central to Nissan’s European enterprise. The petrol and hybrid mannequin accounted for about 45 % of the corporate’s 330,000 car gross sales in Europe in 2025, based on Nissan gross sales information analysed by Reuters.
Any new British authorities assist is anticipated to be tied to Nissan’s commitments to supply new fashions or variants and shield jobs at Sunderland, which employs about 6,000 folks.
Nissan additionally mentioned this month that it had signed an settlement with Chinese automaker Chery to check manufacturing Chery automobiles on considered one of Sunderland’s two manufacturing strains.
Britain is consulting with automakers on proposals to ease guidelines that require corporations to satisfy electric-vehicle gross sales targets or face fines, sources mentioned. The modifications might give Nissan extra room to make hybrid automobiles at Sunderland, which produced greater than 35 % of all automobiles made in Britain final yr.
Nissan has additionally reassessed its EV plans elsewhere. Earlier in 2026, it confirmed it could halt plans to construct two electrical SUVs at its Canton, Mississippi, plant and focus as a substitute on hybrid fashions.
The firm has mentioned it is going to scale back its world mannequin vary from 56 to 45 automobiles. Separately, plans to construct a three-in-one electrical car powertrain at a Sunderland manufacturing facility operated by Nissan subsidiary JATCO have been scrapped, the businesses mentioned.