NISSAN HALTS DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRIC QASHQAI MODEL

Nissan has halted development of a fully electric version of its Qashqai, according to reports. The Japanese carmaker is reducing its model range by a fifth as part of a broader cost-cutting exercise. The Qashqai is Nissan's top-selling model in Europe. The company had been developing the all-electric variant at its plant in Sunderland.

Nissan's decision forms part of a wider restructuring aimed at reducing expenditure across the manufacturer. The carmaker has not made an official public announcement regarding the shelving of the electric Qashqai programme. The Sunderland facility has historically been central to Nissan's European production operations. The move comes as the automotive industry faces pressure from changing market conditions and production costs.

The suspension of the electric Qashqai development marks a significant shift in Nissan's approach to electrification in its core European market segment. No confirmed timeline has been provided for alternative electrification strategies. The company's decision reflects the challenges manufacturers face in balancing investment in electric vehicle development with near-term profitability requirements. Nissan has not yet detailed which other models will be affected by the broader portfolio reduction.