Japanese auto giants Nissan and Mitsubishi are joining forces to stay ahead in the game as the US market shifts towards electric vehicles (EVs). Nissan and Mitsubishi are set to collaborate on developing an electric pickup truck specifically designed for the United States market. Are we finally driving off into a fully electric future with the new Frontier?
Nissan and Mitsubishi have collaborated on an electric pickup truck, which is set to arrive in the United States market.
In a move that follows their recent announcement of an electric vehicle (EV) partnership with long-time rival Honda, Nissan has now partnered with Japanese automaker Mitsubishi on another collaborative venture.
Automakers are scrambling to catch up as the market rapidly shifts towards electric vehicles under their feet. After initially making a significant impact in the electric vehicle (EV) market with the introduction of the LEAF in 2010, Nissan spent over a decade perfecting its next-generation EV, the Ariya.
It seems that now is an opportunity to make up for lost time. Nissan’s CEO, Makoto Uchida, publicly disclosed the company’s strategic partnership initiatives aimed at strengthening its foothold in the lucrative US automotive market.
According to reports, Nissan is poised to debut its inaugural plug-in hybrid model in the US market, leveraging a technology developed by Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi plans to introduce its inaugural North America-assembled electric vehicle, leveraging Nissan’s innovative electrical technology.
Nissan and Mitsubishi are forging a more ambitious future together. To jointly develop an electric pickup for the US market, they intend to manufacture it in Mexico. Comprehensive electrification options, encompassing both pure electric and plug-in hybrid variants, are currently under consideration.
The electrified Frontier mannequin is expected to hit US shores, mirroring Nissan’s top-selling pickup truck. The proposed expansion could further enrich Mitsubishi’s offerings by meeting the growing demand for a midsize electric vehicle pickup, a product that enthusiasts and dealers alike have been eagerly anticipating.
Since 2013, Nissan has had a significant stake in Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Following the emissions deception scandal that rocked the automotive industry, former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn seized the opportunity to acquire a 34% stake in struggling Japanese automaker Mitsubishi.
Although Toyota and Suzuki have successfully partnered on minicar projects in Japan, their attention shifts to North America where they aim to reboot sales figures.
Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer, Ivan Espinosa, has revealed that the electric pickup truck is slated for release within a remarkably wide window, spanning from March 31, 2027, to March 31, 2031.
Electrek’s Take
Isn’t that the electric frontier we’ve been waiting for? Nissan saw a significant surge in Frontier sales in the US last year, with over 76,000 units sold – a whopping 26% increase from the previous year’s figure.
The automaker unveiled its innovative “Arc” marketing campaign, aimed at reducing prices and rivaling Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers as well as Tesla in the competitive market.
Makoto mentioned that Nissan cannot continue to rely on its past business strategies as they are no longer sustainable for the future. As part of its comprehensive two-part strategy, the company is focused on catalyzing the electric vehicle (EV) transformation through strategic partnerships and innovative product offerings that cater to distinct customer needs.
By 2030, Nissan plans to introduce a total of 34 electric vehicles across its entire product lineup, spanning all market categories from 2024 onwards. This consists of pickups. By 2026, Nissan anticipates that electrically charged vehicles will comprise a significant 40% of their global sales, while envisioning a substantial leap to 60% by the year 2030.
Nissan is committing $200 million within the US to revamp nearly four-fifths of its vehicle portfolio. The company plans to introduce a lineup featuring both e-POWER and plug-in hybrid powertrains.
As the electric vehicle landscape evolves, the once-uncontested terrain has given way to a rapidly growing competitive field, with the likes of Tesla’s Cybertruck, General Motors’ Chevy Silverado EV, Ford’s F-150 Lightning, and Rivian’s R1T vying for dominance.
By 2027 and potentially as far out as 2031, electric Nissan and Mitsubishi pickups will likely lag significantly behind the times. Meanwhile, Ford has announced a significant restructuring of its workforce at the facility where the F-150 Lightning is manufactured, with plans to cut staff by approximately one-third. The modifications come into effect on April 1, 2024.
Would I consider a novel electric pickup from Nissan or Mitsubishi over established brands like Tesla, Chevrolet, Ford, and Rivian? That’s a fascinating question. I’m ready when you are! Please provide the text you’d like me to improve, and I’ll get back to you with a revised version in a different style.
