Changes Coming to Nissan’s Lineup by 2025

In the United States, the sedan segment continues to dwindle, with most automakers giving preference to SUVs and pickup trucks over traditional sedans. Now, it appears that two more sedans are on the verge of being phased out. As reported by Automotive News, the Nissan Altima and Versa are expected to be discontinued after the 2025 model year. While the publication doesn’t provide specific sources for this information, a glance at the future product lineup reveals the absence of both sedans. Notably, Nissan has also recently discontinued the Maxima, marking a significant shift away from offering gasoline-powered sedans once the Altima and Versa bid their farewell.

Indeed, Car and Driver took the initiative to contact Nissan and seek confirmation regarding the report from Automotive News. In response, a Nissan spokesperson issued the following statement:

“We are continuing to invest in the sedan segment to offer our customers great-looking cars equipped with convenient, entertaining and safety-enhancing technologies. As we accelerate towards realizing Nissan’s Ambition 2030 vision we have many exciting plans in development, but we don’t have anything to share at this time.”

Shifting Demand for Sedans

While there has been a recent decline in the popularity of sedans, it’s essential to acknowledge that these cars often offer superior driving dynamics due to their lower center of gravity. The Nissan Altima serves as a prime example. In prior years, it held the distinction of being Nissan’s second-best selling vehicle, boasting a total of 139,955 units sold. Remarkably, in the first half of 2023, it still maintained its position as the second-best seller, surpassing the sales of other Nissan models like the Frontier, Kicks, and Pathfinder. Consequently, this has left enthusiasts feeling skeptical about the manufacturer’s decision to discontinue some of its best-selling vehicles without clear plans for the future.

As mentioned earlier, Nissan has not released an official statement on this topic, and the company’s spokesperson could not provide confirmation regarding the future of the sedans. Nonetheless, the spokesperson did emphasize Nissan’s dedication to the sedan segment. Therefore, considering the strong sales figures and performance, it is probable that the Altima will maintain its relevance in the coming years.

Upcoming Changes

Nissan intends to halt Maxima production after the 2023 model year. Meanwhile, there is uncertainty surrounding the future of the company’s Titan pickup, with production scheduled to cease at the Canton assembly plant in Mississippi in the summer of 2024. This decision will result in the Frontier being the last remaining model in Nissan’s lineup. Furthermore, there are reports indicating that Nissan is considering the introduction of an electric version of the Frontier in 2029, potentially for the 2030 model year, as a replacement for their midsize truck.

Automotive News revealed that Nissan is phasing out the Maxima, Altima, and Versa to make way for an upcoming electric sedan, expected to make its debut around 2026. Contrary to this, Nissan’s official announcement states that two electric vehicles are slated to commence production at the Canton assembly plant in approximately 2025, likely designated as 2026 models. One of these emissions-free vehicles will carry the Nissan brand, while Infiniti will oversee the marketing of the other. This strategic decision is aligned with Nissan’s Ambition 2030 electrification plan, which aims to introduce a total of 27 electrified vehicles by the fiscal year 2030, including 19 fully electric models.

It’s worth noting that despite the impending conclusion of Maxima production, a Nissan spokesperson shared an intriguing statement with Car and Driver, hinting at staying “attuned for future Nissan Maxima news.” This suggests an optimistic perspective for the car in the era of electrification.