Nissan is preparing a significant expansion of its high-performance Nismo sub-brand, confirming plans to double the global Nismo line-up to 10 models as part of a broader strategy to restore profitability and reinvigorate its brand image.
The move sits at the heart of Nissan’s newly announced recovery programme, Re:Power, led by CEO Ivan Espinosa. Alongside cost-cutting and a more regionalised product approach, the strategy leans heavily on halo models to rebuild emotional appeal — a role Nismo is now set to play more prominently than ever.
Beyond increasing the number of models, Nissan also wants Nismo variants to reach a wider audience. Global sales of Nismo cars are expected to rise from around 100,000 units today to 150,000 by 2028, with between 40 and 60 per cent of that growth coming from markets outside Japan. That marks a clear shift for a badge that has traditionally been strongest on home soil.
Exactly which models will receive the Nismo treatment remains unclear. Nissan has offered no guidance on whether future additions will be combustion-powered, fully electric or a mix of both, nor has it confirmed which regions will benefit from the expanded line-up. What it has made clear, however, is a willingness to look beyond its own engineering teams.
The company said it will “actively consider collaborations with external partners” for future Nismo projects, a statement that opens the door to some intriguing possibilities. One such prospect is a Micra Nismo, potentially based on the Alpine A290 — the performance derivative of the Renault 5 — mirroring the relationship between the standard Micra and its Renault sibling.
At present, Nismo’s presence varies widely by market. In the UK, the only Nismo-badged model on sale is the Ariya Nismo, a dual-motor electric SUV positioned as a performance flagship for Nissan’s EV range. Elsewhere, the badge is applied more liberally, appearing on models such as the Z sports car, Skyline saloon, X-Trail SUV and the Patrol off-roader.
The renewed emphasis on Nismo also ties into Nissan’s long-running desire to re-establish clear halo products. In 2023, the firm previewed a potential electric successor to the GT-R with the Hyper Force concept, signalling that outright performance and brand theatre still matter, even in an increasingly electrified future.
Motorsport will continue to underpin that philosophy. Nissan confirmed it will develop a number of prototype vehicles for “racing activities” over the coming year, aimed at accelerating both hardware and software development. These are expected to include experimental machines derived from its Formula E programme, which Autocar has previously reported will play a key role in future road-car technology transfer.
Already active in Formula E and Japan’s Super GT series, Nissan is also evaluating opportunities to expand into new forms of racing, reinforcing the idea that competition will remain central to the Nismo identity.
After several years of heavy losses, the stakes for Re:Power are high. For Espinosa, Nismo is more than just a performance badge — it is a strategic tool. By broadening its reach and sharpening its appeal, Nissan is betting that high-performance, emotionally driven models can once again help define the brand, and pull the wider range forward with them.
Source: Autocar; Photo: Nissan Australia