Nissan unveils new X-Trail and Juke, plans leaner lineup with enhanced AI driving Tech

Planning to make a comeback, Nissan Motor plans to streamline its global automobile lineup by removing all vehicles that have accrued low sales. Beyond that, it aims to deploy artificial intelligence technology across 90% of its fleet over the long term, the Japanese brand informed Reuters.

The changes also include a statement on its long-term strategy, following a restructuring plan laid out by CEO Ivan Espinosa last year. The plan seeks to revitalize Japan’s fourth-largest automaker after years of decline. In a statement, Nissan highlighted how it plans to cut the number of its models from 65 to 45, and aims for a target of annual sales of 1 million vehicles each in the US and China by the 2030 financial year.

Under the new plans laid out by Espinosa, Nissan is planning to reduce its global manufacturing footprint and cut its workforce by 15%. Despite the conflict in the Middle East, Nissan remains committed to increasing sales in the region, where it expects to benefit from a growing market and strong performance, Guillaume Cartier told Reuters.

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New Nissan X-Trail revealed with a new hybrid powertrain 

Beyond the announcement, Nissan has revealed a new X-Trail SUV as part of a wide-reaching overview of the company’s future strategy, design language, and model lineup. Nissan has shown only the exterior of the car so far and offered no technical details, but the e-Power badging confirms it will feature a version of the company’s full hybrid powertrain.

This system differs from conventional parallel hybrid technology, where the petrol engine is used as a generator to charge a small battery, which in turn powers the electric motors that drive the wheels. The X-Trail is already offered in e-Power form but is expected to receive a significantly upgraded system that recently made its debut in the smaller Qashqai, for increased power, refinement, and efficiency.

Beyond the X-Trail, Nissan also unveiled the third-generation Juke earlier this morning at the brand’s future-looking vision event in Japan. The car is based on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform and is powered exclusively by electricity. The car shares much of its underpinnings with the smaller Leaf EV.

The all-new EV Juke will be sold alongside the updated version of the current second-generation Juke Hybrid. The all-new Juke has been designed, engineered, and developed in the UK, Spain, and Germany, which Nissan said underlines its long-term investments in Europe as both a production and innovation hub.

Legendary monikers to make a comeback

Nissan is also working on bringing back some of its “heartbeat” models, which embody the brand’s identity and innovation. A pair of new heartbeat models will include the new body-on-frame X-Terra 4x4 for the US market and a new Skyline performance coupe for Japan, which will be the 14th installment in a lineage that stretches back to 1957.