Nissan Motor unveiled a new all-electric crossover called Ariya early Wednesday as part of a four-year business change plan to achieve sustainable growth, financial stability and profitability for the struggling Japanese automaker.
The vehicle is one of 12 new or redesigned models that Nissan has promised to launch until 2021 under its “Nissan Next” plan. It is the first all-electric vehicle to debut since the strategy was announced in May.
“Ariya is the next Nissan chapter in physical form,” Nissan chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said during a virtual roundtable. “It is a catalyst for change in thinking about our product.”
The restructuring, which runs through early 2024, includes cutting billions in fixed costs, removing various vehicle nameplates, and shutting down or realigning production plants after the expulsion of the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance from the leader of all Carlos Ghosn’s life, now an international fugitive.
The plan was announced when the company recorded its first annual loss in 11 years. The coronavirus pandemic added to difficult times, as the company was still trying to recover from the ongoing scandal surrounding its former leader.
Gupta described the global pandemic as an “unprecedented” crisis for Nissan, however, he said, the company has also learned new and more efficient ways to work, including online sales in the United States.
“We believe that Covid-19, on the one hand, has been a great challenge for us, but, on the other hand, it has taught us a new way of working and a new way of selling,” he said.
Ariya
Ariya, according to Nissan, will start at about $ 40,000 when it hits dealerships in the second half of 2021. It will be produced in Japan and imported into the US.
The vehicle, Nissan said, is on a new vehicle platform developed by its global alliance. The company called the vehicle the “ultimate expression” of its fully electric and driver assistance technologies.
Nissan expects the crossover to be capable of up to 300 miles per charge. That’s in line with some all-electric vehicles currently on the market, but fewer than you like. of Tesla’s more expensive vehicles and future models promised by General Motors in the coming years.
Nissan, according to Gupta, believes the range is more than enough for drivers. He said that most all-electric vehicle owners charge from home every night. He compared it to charging a cell phone at night.
“We believe the EV is now used more like a mobile phone,” said Gupta, who joined Nissan last year from Mitsubishi Motors. “When 80% of customers are charging their car at home, reach is no longer an anxiety for them.”
Nissan’s current all-electric Leaf can travel up to 226 miles, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Hands-free driving
Ariya will be the first in the United States with Nissan’s “ProPilot Assist 2.0” driver assistance system. The technology allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel while on designated roads. Supervises the driver to ensure that she continues to pay attention if necessary to take over the vehicle.
The interior of the Nissan Ariya 2021 for right-hand drive markets like Japan.
Nissan
Nissan’s system is similar to GM’s Super Cruise or Tesla’s autopilot driver assistance technologies, however, Tesla’s makes drivers “check in” by touching the wheel.
The system uses a combination of on-board sensors and radars, as well as the navigation system and high definition mapping to control the direction, speed, acceleration and braking of the vehicle.
Ariya, Gupta said, will be capable of remote or over-the-air updates.
The crossover is based on a concept vehicle with a similar name that was shown at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show and was first hinted at with the IMx concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.
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