Nissan is accelerating production of its inaugural electric SUV, following a measured launch. Nissan’s new Cleer manufacturing facility, where the all-electric Nissan Ariya crossover is now being produced smoothly and efficiently.
Nissan’s production of the Ariya electric vehicle (EV) has gained momentum in Japan.
Nissan launched the Ariya, its second globally available electric vehicle after the LEAF, in 2020. Although initially slated for a 2021 release, the product’s rollout was delayed by another year due to the global shortage of semiconductors.
The automaker began building the Ariya at its newly opened Clever Manufacturing plant in October 2021. By the end of the fiscal year, which concluded on March 31, Nissan had managed to produce a mere 27,600 vehicles, with around 17,000 being shipped worldwide.
During the six-month period spanning April to October, output surged to 26,900 units, while gross sales reached a cumulative total of 23,800. Nissan attributed its slow start to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing global semiconductor shortage.
With production humming along smoothly at the Tochigi plant under the guidance of Supervisor Eiji Kikuchi, Nissan’s factory is now fully operational. This device boasts an impressive level of capacity that far exceeds expectations.
On a recent factory tour, Kikuchi explained that the technology is currently underutilized, providing additional capabilities as a result. Following successful market reception of its Ariya electric vehicle’s unique cadence, Nissan is poised to increase production levels. The plant’s supervisor has confirmed that the Clever Manufacturing facility operates at just two-thirds of its capacity.
Nissan launched the Clever Manufacturing facility line at its Tochigi plant in 2021, aiming to reduce costs for its forthcoming electric vehicle (EV) models. Newly implemented strategies successfully reduce production costs by 10% compared to previous methods.
The automaker intends to integrate this technology into various Nissan amenities. At Nissan’s Canton, Mississippi, facility, a glimpse is being offered into the future expectations.
Nissan has committed $500 million to revamping its manufacturing facility, transforming it into North America’s premier electric vehicle production hub. As the site prepares for operations, it will start producing two electric models – a pair of Nissan and Infiniti sedans and crossovers – slated to hit the market in 2026.
Electrek’s Take
As of September, approximately 10,000 Ariya electric SUVs have been delivered to customers in the United States. As electric vehicle demand surges, gross sales are projected to continue growing in tandem with the uptick in production.
Significantly, Nissan is reducing prices through innovative manufacturing approaches to make its electric vehicles even more competitive. While the decade-old LEAF’s sales momentum has slowed, the Ariya is stealing the spotlight with its impressive performance.
As Nissan revives its electric vehicle (EV) momentum, the company has been quietly teasing a range of innovative concepts throughout recent months.
The car manufacturer has confirmed plans to build its next-generation LEAF model, as well as electric variants of the Juke and Qashqai, at its production site in Sunderland, UK.
Nissan’s next-generation LEAF electric vehicle (EV) is expected to transition seamlessly into a sleek crossover-coupe-style SUV. It’s expected to closely resemble the Aryia. The highly anticipated unveiling of the brand’s latest mannequin is scheduled for next year. Verification of existing particulars undertaken swiftly reveals no additional information.
